Volume Mount Bracket Safety Recall - 2014-2015 Life Line-modified Ford F-Series

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V024
Manufacturer Life Line Emergency Vehicles
Components SUSPENSION
Potential Number of Units Affected 4

Bracket for Suspension Fluid Tank may Fracture

If the suspension fluid tank mount fractures and the tank separates from the chassis, the tank may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

Summary

Life Line Emergency Vehicles (Life Line) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Life Line-modified Ford F-Series emergency vehicles that are equipped with Liquid Spring-brand aftermarket suspension kits. The mounting bracket that attaches the suspension fluid tank to the frame may fail allowing the fluid tank to separate from the vehicle.

Remedy

The remedy for this recall is still under development. The recall began on February 2, 2015. Owners may contact Life Line customer service at 1-563-578-3317.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Volume Mount Replacement Instructions

Component Identification:

Use the following tables to identify which replacement bracket is required.

Existing Brackets

10830-002

10830-003

10830-010*

Replacement Bracket

10830-013

*If suspension system is equipped with 10830-010 volume mount brakes and dual band clamps, please contact LiquidSpring for replacement band clamp.

Existing Bracket

Replacement Bracket

10830-005

10830-014

Existing Bracket

Replacement Bracket

10830-012

10830-015

Procedure:

Before performing any work:

Read and understand all instructions and procedures.
Read and observe all Warning and Caution hazard alert messages in this publication. They provide information that can help prevent serious personal injury, damage to components, or both.
Follow your company’s maintenance and service, installation, and diagnostics guidelines.
Use special tools when required to help avoid serious personal injury and damage to components.

Throughout these instructions, important product information is preceded by the terms “NOTE”, “IMPORTANT”, “CAUTION”, and “WARNING”. These terms are defined as follows:

NOTE: Includes additional information to enable accurate and easy performance of procedures.

IMPORTANT: Includes additional information that if not followed could lead to hindered product performance and/or product failure.

CAUTION: A caution indicates procedures that must be followed exactly. Damage to equipment or suspension components and personal injury can occur if the procedure is not followed.

WARNING: A warning indicates procedures that must be followed exactly. Serious personal injury can occur if the procedure is not followed.

LiquidSpring LLC reserves the right to modify the suspension and/or procedures and to change specifications at any time without notice and without incurring obligation.

Instructions

Replacement of the volume tank mounts does not require the suspension to be depressurized or any hydraulics to be disconnected.

Note: If the vehicle is equipped with a midship fuel tank, additional clearance to tank mount fasteners may be achieved by temporarily lowering the mid-ship fuel tank.

Raise vehicle to gain access to the volumes, located under the frame, ahead of the rear suspension.
Support the driver side volume with jack stands or floor jack(s).

WARNING: Each Volume Assembly is heavy (in excess of 100 lbs). Properly support the Volume Assembly.

Loosen and remove the T-Bolt Clamps from around the tank. Retain the clamps for reuse.
Lower the Volume Assembly to allow removal of the mounts.
Remove the Volume Mounts. Retain fasteners for reuse.
Identify the correct replacement mount. The replacement mounts should have the same mounting orientation as the parts removed.

Figure 1. Secondary Volume Assembly mounting.

Install the replacement mounts.

Torque the 3/8” Lock Nuts to 3543 ft-lbs.

Raise the Volume Assembly into the replacement mounts.
Reinstall the T-Bolt Clamp by placing them in the mounts, on top of the two pegs.
Secure both clamps around the Volume Assembly and torque the TBolt nut to 240 in-lbs. Do not over torque.

Repeat with the passenger side.

Contact Information

The LiquidSpring contact information is:

Phone: 765-747-7816 ext. 109 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Email: warranty@liquidspring.com

Important Safety Recall

NHTSA Recall Number: 14E-034

Date: August14, 2014

Subject: Volume Mount Bracket Safety Recall Notice

Dear LiquidSpring Suspension Owner,

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Highway Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

LiquidSpring LLC has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in a component in certain LS suspension systems installed on Ford E450, F450, F550, and GM G3500/4500 chassis, and only suspension systems for the above chassis are included in the safety recall.

These suspension systems are typically installed on ambulances, shuttle buses, RV’s, and other specialty vehicles. The affected system component is the fluid volume mount bracket. The bracket may develop a fracture that may result in the fluid volume becoming supported only by hose connection(s). Continued vehicle use in this fluid volume support condition [hose connection(s) only] may result in the fluid volume contacting the ground which could cause damage to the chassis and/or other vehicles, and possibly result in a crash. See Figure 1 for location of fluid volume mount brackets on the chassis.

Figure 1. Fluid Volume Mount Brackets

You are receiving this notice because records indicate that you may have purchased a vehicle equipped with an affected LS suspension system. LiquidSpring recommends that you inspect the fluid volume mount brackets on your vehicle as soon as possible, and if a fracture is found, do not use the vehicle further until the brackets can be replaced.

The affected suspension systems have a serial number range 2,000,011 – 2,000,337. The suspension system serial number may be found on the serial number plate located on the driver side front frame hanger of the suspension. See Figures 2 & 3 for the location and view of the serial number plate.

Figure 2. Serial Plate Location

Figure 3. Serial Plate

If you have a Ford E450, F450, F550, GM3500/4500 chassis equipped with a LiquidSpring suspension system within the above serial number range, please contact LiquidSpring to arrange service to have the fluid volume mount brackets replaced, free of charge.

The LiquidSpring contact information is as follows:

Phone: 765-474-7816 ext. 109 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST

Email: warranty@liquidspring.com

If LiquidSpring fails or is unable to arrange service as described above without charge, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590 or call toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153); or go to www.safercar.gov.

Commitment to safety, quality and respect for the customer are our highest priorities. Please accept our sincere apology for any inconveniences that may result from replacing these 2^nd volume mount brackets.

Sincerely,

Dean F. Bartolone – President

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2015/RCRIT-15V024-5948.pdf