Hendrickson Ak-146 Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 09E036000
Manufacturer: HENDRICKSON USA. L.L.C.
Date of Owner Notification: April 16th, 2009

Defect Summary:
HENDRICKSON IS RECALLING 138 AIR CONTROL KIT ASSEMBLIES IN LIFT AXLE AND SUSPENSION APPLICATIONS EQUIPPED WITH HALDEX QUICK RELEASE VALVES (QRV). HENDRICKSON ALSO SELLS THE HALDEX QRV FOR SERVICE PURPOSES UNDER PART NUMBER VA-1129. THE RUBBER DIAPHRAGM INSIDE THE QRV MAY EXPERIENCE DELAMINATION RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT LEVELS OF AIR PRESSURE LEAKAGE PAST AND/OR THROUGH THE DIAPHRAGM, OR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BUBBLE IN THE DIAPHRAGM WHICH MAY TRAP AIR PRESSURE IN THE VALVE. A REDUCTION OF PRESSURE IN THE LIFT AXLE RIDE AIR SPRINGS CAN REDUCE THE LIFT AXLE'S LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY. IN ADDITION, ANY TRAPPED AIR PRESSURE IN THE QRV MAY PREVENT THE ABILITY TO EXHAUST LIFT AXLE RIDE AIR SPRINGS IN ORDER TO RAISE THE LIFT AXLE. REDUCTION OF PRESSURE IN THE SUSPENSION AIR SPRINGS CAN LOWER THE VEHICLE RIDE HEIGHT. IN ADDITION, ANY TRAPPED AIR PRESSURE IN THE QRV MAY PREVENT THE ABILITY TO RAISE AND/OR LOWER THE AIR SUSPENSION TO THE PROPER RIDE HEIGHT.

Consequence Summary:
AN OVERLOADED AXLE OR IMPROPER RIDE HEIGHT CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Corrective Summary:
HENDRICKSON IS WORKING WITH HALDEX TO NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED QRVS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HENDRICKSON AT 1-630-773-9111 OR HALDEX AT 1-620-365-6911 EXT. 1357.

Recall Notes:
OWNERS 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 .