International Harvester 4900 recalls by model year

Reported: 1993-03-18 (March 18, 1993) · Model years: 1991, 1992, 1993

THE TIE ROD USED ON THE DANA FA-64 FRONT DRIVE AXLE HAS A THREADED SLEEVE TO PERMIT TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT WITHOUT REMOVING AN END. THE TIE ROD BAR IS NECKED DOWN TO INCORPORATE THE SLEEVE. A STRESS RISER IS CREATED AT THE THREADED PORTION OF THE ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE WHICH MAY CAUSE A FATIGUE FRACTURE AND FAILURE OF THE TIE ROD WHERE IT SCREWS INTO THE SLEEVE.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE TIE ROD ON THE FRONT AXLE RESULTS IN LOSSOF STEERING CONTROL AND A POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: REPLACE THE TIE ROD WITH A TIE ROD THAT DOES NOT USE AN ADJUSTMENT SLEEVE.

Reported: 1993-05-21 (May 21, 1993) · Model years: 1991, 1992, 1993

THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE WAS OMITTED IN THE AIR TANK. THE AIR TANK IS THE RESERVOIR FOR THE AIR SUSPENSION AND IS NOT BRAKE RELATED. WITHOUT THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE, THERE IS NO BACK-UP SYSTEM TO LIMIT AIR PRESSURE IN THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM.

Consequence: LACK OF A BACK-UP SYSTEM TO LIMIT AIR PRESSURE BUILD UPCAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE PRESSURE IN THE AIR TANK AND CAN CAUSE THE TANK TO RUPTURE.THIS CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY TO ANYONE IN THE VICINITY.

Remedy: INSTALL A PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE IN THE AIR TANK.

Reported: 1994-08-02 (August 2, 1994) · Model years: 1994, 1995

FOUR COMPRESSION BACKPLATE RETAINING FASTENERS ON THE TURBO-CHARGER WERE TORQUED ONLY HAND TIGHT. THIS ALLOWS THE FASTENERS TO LOOSEN, AND CAUSES OIL TO LEAK INTO THE COMPRESSOR AIR SIDE OF THE TURBO-CHARGER WHICH, WHEN COUPLED WITH THE HEAT PRECIPITATED BY THE COMPRESSOR AND THE MIXING ACTION OF THE COMPRESSOR WHEEL, CAN RESULT IN AN AIR/OIL MIXTURE THAT FUELS THE ENGINE.

Consequence: WHEN THIS OCCURS, ENGINE RUN-ON AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF OPERATOR CONTROL VIA THE NORMAL THROTTLE MECHANISM CAN OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE SUSPECT TURBO-CHARGER WITH A NEW TURBO-CHARGER.

Reported: 1996-11-22 (November 22, 1996) · Model years: 1997

THE DRIVE AXLE HOUSINGS CONSIST OF A PLATE STEEL CENTER SECTION AND TWO FORGED SPINDLES, ONE OF WHICH IS WELDED TO EACH END OF THE CENTER SECTION. EACH SPINDLE CONTAINS A KEYWAY SLOT IN WHICH THE LOCKING TAB FOR THE WHEEL BEARING NUT LOCKING MECHANISM IS INSERTED. THE LENGTH OF THE KEYWAY SLOT MAY NOT BE LONG ENOUGH TO ACCOMMODATE THE TAB CAUSING THE TAB TO BE DEFORMED OR DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION.

Consequence: THIS LOCKING TAB PREVENTS THE WHEEL BEARING NUT FROM LOOSENING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IF THIS TAB IS DEFORMED, THE NUT CAN LOOSEN ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE AXLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVE AXLE HOUSING NUTS WITH A CONVENTIONAL WHEEL NUT HARDWARE SYSTEM.

Reported: 1996-11-27 (November 27, 1996) · Model years: 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES AND HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES PRODUCED BY DANA SPICER. CERTAIN REAR AXLE ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY HEAT TREATED WHICH COULD ALLOW PINION BREAKAGE AT THE PINION THREADS.

Consequence: CRACKS CAN INITIATE AND RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE THREADED END OF THE PINION RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE YOKE AND DRIVE LINE FROM THE REAR AXLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR AXLE CARRIER/PINION ASSEMBLY.

Reported: 2002-05-20 (May 20, 2002) · Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

ON CERTAIN MEDIUM AND HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, A BRASS FITTING CONNECTS THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE TO THE BRAKE RELAY VALVE. WITH CERTAIN INPUTS TO THE VEHICLE, THE WEIGHT OF THE CHECK VALVE ON THE FITTING CAN CAUSE THE ASSEMBLY TO RESONATE. THE SUBJECT VIBRATION CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE STRAIN LEVELS IN THE FITTING, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY FATIGUE AND FAIL.

Consequence: IF THE FITTING BREAKS, THE REAR SERVICE BRAKES WILL CEASE TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTING IN AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A KIT TO REMOUNT THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE WITH A FLEXIBLE HOSE ON THE MAJORITY OF VEHICLES. ON A SMALL NUMBER OF UNITS WITH CLEARANCE ISSUES OR TRACTION CONTROL, A KIT WITH A NEW RELAY VALVE THAT HAS A BUILT-IN DOUBLE CHECK VALVE WILL BE INSTALLED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 11, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.

Reported: 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003) · Model years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, A BRASS FITTING CONNECTS THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE TO THE BRAKE RELAY VALVE. WITH CERTAIN INPUTS TO THE VEHICLE, THE WEIGHT OF THE CHECK VALVE ON THE FITTING CAN CAUSE THE ASSEMBLY TO RESONATE. THE SUBJECT VIBRATION CAN CAUSE EXCESSIVE STRAIN LEVELS IN THE FITTING, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY FATIGUE AND FAIL.

Consequence: IF THE FITTING BREAKS, THE REAR SERVICE BRAKES WILL CEASE TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING, RESULTING IN AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A KIT TO REMOUNT THE DOUBLE CHECK VALVE WITH A FLEXIBLE HOSE ON THE MAJORITY OF VEHICLES. ON A SMALL NUMBER OF UNITS WITH CLEARANCE ISSUES OR TRACTION CONTROL, A KIT WITH A NEW RELAY VALVE THAT HAS A BUILT-IN DOUBLE CHECK VALVE WILL BE INSTALLED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 18, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AT 1-800-448-7825.

Reported: 2004-06-03 (June 3, 2004) · Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001

ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES AND TRUCK MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 28, 1999, THROUGH APRIL 5, 2004, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) MAY MISINTERPRET A CORRUPT WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL.

Consequence: THE CORRUPT WHEEL SPEED SIGNALS MAY IMPROPERLY ACTIVATE THE ABS, INSTEAD OF DEACTIVATING THE ABS. THIS MAY RESULT IN THE DRIVER EXPERIENCING A HARD PEDAL FEEL AND A DECREASE IN DECELERATION AT THE END OF THE STOP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES WHICH COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE, PERSONAL INJURY, OR DEATH.

Remedy: INTERNATIONAL WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND INSPECT AND REPAIR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 1, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-327-4236.