PIERCE IS RECALLING 2,372 MY 1982-1991 ARROW, MY 1983-1989 DASH, AND MY 1987-1989 DASH D8000 EMERGENCY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRW STEERING COLUMNS. THE LOWER END OF THE TRW STEERING COLUMN IS ATTACHED TO A 90 DEGREE GEAR BOX AS IT PASSES THROUGH THE FLOOR OF THE CAB. IF THE SHAFT IS NOT WELL ALIGNED WITH THE GEAR BOX INPUT, A SIDE LOAD IS INDUCED IN THE LOWER SHAFT BEARING. THIS SIDE LOAD CAN CAUSE BEARING FAILURE. IF THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN BEARING FAILS, THE BEARING RACE OR COMPRESSION SPRING CUTS INTO THE HOLLOW STEERING SHAFT TUBE.
THIS FAILURE MOST LIKELY WILL OCCUR ON HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLES DURING LOW SPEED, HIGH STEERING EFFORT EVENTS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL TRW STEERING COLUMN WITH A NEW TRW STEERING COLUMN RETROFIT KIT. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.
CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.