21E057 Watson and Chalin Steerable Lift Axle Suspension System Lift Axle Hardware May Separate

June 24, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21E057000

Lift Axle Suspension System Hardware May Separate

The short screws can cause the hardware to separate from the suspension system and become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21E057

Manufacturer Volvo Trucks North America

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 1

 

Summary

Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo Trucks) is recalling one Watson and Chalin steerable lift axle suspension system with part number SL2065.27. The lower rear pivot cap screws may not be long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.

 

Remedy

Volvo Trucks will install a replacement lower rear pivot fastener hardware kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Trucks customer service at 1-800-528-6586.

 

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.nhtsa.gov.

 

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PIVOT FASTENER INSTALLATION

SL2065

LIT NO: W&C264
DATE: 11/04/20

REV: A

https://oemdtc.com/5319/20e055-w-c-sl2065-steerable-lift-axle-suspension-systems-wc2020-01-lower-rear-pivot-cap-screws-may-be-too-short

 

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RECALL INFORMATION

(June, 2021)

Watson & Chalin Manufacturing, Inc. (“W&C”) has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in a limited number of SL2065 20,000-pound rated capacity steerable auxiliary lift axle suspension systems. These SL2065 suspension systems were manufactured between November 13, 2019 and April 30, 2020.

These suspensions may be equipped with lower rear pivot cap screws that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts.

Volvo Trucks has not received any complaints or reports of vehicle crashes because of this non-compliance.

To ensure that these vehicles meet Volvo’s stringent quality requirements. Replacement of the lower rear pivot fasteners is required. These parts will need to be obtained directly from Watson & Chalin.

 

VEHICLES AFFECTED

One Volvo North America vehicle manufactured on October 30, 2002.

 

VEHICLE QUANTITY

There is 1 vehicle affected by this recall (1 U.S.).

 

Part Number	Part Names	Quantity
SRK2065WAR-001	Lower Rear Pivot Fastener Repair Kit	1

 

Repair Instructions

1. Verify all required parts were received in the service repair kit.

 

2. Verify all required parts are free from damage that would impair function.

 

3. Verify that the threads of the fasteners are clean and dry.

 

4. Lay out all required replacement parts such that they can be easily located during reassembly.

 

5. Verify all required tools are available.

 

6. Verify all required tools are free from damage that would impair function.

 

7. Lay out all required tools such that they can be easily located.

 

8. Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface.

 

9. Engage the parking brake so that the vehicle may not roll.

 

10. Chock the vehicle’s wheels so that the vehicle may not roll.

 

11. Verify the vehicle will be properly restrained from movement and safe to work on.

 

12. Lower the auxiliary lift axle so that the tires are in contact with the ground.

 

13. Depressurize the auxiliary lift axle air system. De-pressurize the entire vehicle air system if required.

 

14. Verify system air pressure cannot be restored inadvertently while working on the vehicle.

 

15. Follow any additional vehicle manufacturer and/or dealership safety procedures and precautions to ensure the vehicle can be safely repaired and maintained.

 

16. Support the auxiliary lift axle with adjustable supports such as jacks, stands, or straps so that it does not roll or move when the control arm fasteners are removed.

 

17. From this point forward, work on only one side of the vehicle at a time.

 

18. Remove the axle-side fasteners:

a. Make note of the lower control arm spacer washer locations. These are the large diameter washers inside of the axle flanges. If required, mark the locations or take photographs to reference during re-installation. NOTE THAT WASHER LOCATIONS MAY DIFFER FROM THE ABOVE PICTURE. Spacer washers may be left in and reused if they are free from damage.

b. Use 1-5/16-inch wrenches and/or sockets to remove the nuts.

c. If required, use a grinder and cutoff wheel to remove stuck fasteners. Take care not to damage the axle flange, axle tube, or any other vehicle components when using the grinder.

d. Secure the control arm with a jack stand, so it does not fall, and knock out the cap screw using punches and a hammer. USE CAUTION, AS CONTROL ARM MAY SHIFT WHEN THE FASTENER IS REMOVED.

 

19. Install the replacement fasteners:

a. If required, place a floor jack or other lifting device under the lower control arm, then raise it into
the axle.

b. Install the lower control arm spacer washers. An alignment or center punch inserted from the outboard side may be used to hold them in place until the cap screw is inserted. For correct washer locations, reference notes taken in Step 18a.

c. Install the lower control arm pivot cap screw, washers, and nut, but do not tighten.

d. Use 1-5/16-inch wrenches and / or sockets to snug the lower pivot fastener. Confirm fastener is fully engaged with the joint.

e. Secure the heads of the cap screws with a combination wrench and tighten the nuts to 400 lb-ft torque. DO NOT TORQUE FROM HEAD OF CAP SCREW.

 

20. Repeat steps 18 and 19 for the opposite side of the vehicle.

 

21. Re-pressurize the vehicle’s air system.

 

22. Cycle the auxiliary suspension.

 

23. Return vehicle to lot.

 

NOTE: If any of the existing lower rear pivot cap screws currently equipped on suspensions are loose or damaged, the vehicle should not be further operated until the replacement cap screws are installed.

 

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IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL 21E057

NHTSA RECALL # 21E-057  

 

DEAR VOLVO TRUCK OWNER:

 

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

 

Volvo Trucks North America has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in a certain Volvo 2003 VHD model vehicle manufactured on or about October 30, 2002.

 

SAFETY DEFECT:

These suspensions may be equipped with lower rear pivot cap screws that are not long enough to sufficiently engage the locking feature of the corresponding nuts

 

SAFETY RISK:

In some cases, this condition may cause a loss of clamp load of the corresponding pivot joint. Extended use of the suspension in this condition can result in the fracture or loss of the cap screw and related washers and nut. This can further result in foreign object debris on the roadway, increasing the risk of a crash and / or injury.

 

PRECAUTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:

W&C recommends owners of any vehicles in this recall to inspect the lift axle suspension system using the criteria on page 2 of the attached bulletin.  The inspection is to determine, once the fastener is properly tightened to the specified torque, whether the lower rear pivot cap screws meet minimum specified length requirements by measuring from the end of the cap screw to the top of the nut.

 

TIME REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR:

The time required to repair your vehicle is approximately 0.8 hours.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

You should contact the nearest Volvo Parts and Service Center and make an appointment.  The lift axle will be inspected and repaired if needed at no charge to you.

You can locate the closest Volvo Parts and Service Center by going on line to https://www.volvo.com/trucks/na/en-us/dealers/ and selecting “Dealer Locator” or by calling our toll-free number: (800) 528-6586.

 

NOTICE REGARDING LEASED VEHICLES:

If you are a Lessor of vehicles subject to this Notice, you have an obligation under Federal Law to provide a copy of this Notice to all Lessees within 10 days of your receipt of this Notice.  Further, you must maintain a record, which identifies the Lessee(s) to whom you send a copy of this letter, the date you send this letter, and the Vehicle Identification Number(s) of the vehicle(s) that you have leased to that lessee.  For purposes of this Notice, the term Lessor means: a person or entity that is the owner, as reflected on the vehicle’s title, of any five or more leased vehicles (as defined in CFR Section 577.4), as of the date of notification by the manufacturer of the existence of a safety-related defect or noncompliance with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard in one or more of the leased motor vehicles.

 

IF YOU NO LONGER OWN VEHICLE:

The enclosed “Notice of Vehicle Recall” identifies your vehicle.  If you no longer own the vehicle, please help us update our records by contacting our warranty help desk at Help.warranty@volvo.com.

 

ASSISTANCE/ COMPLAINTS:

If your vehicle has not been repaired within a reasonable time after delivering it to a Volvo Parts and Service Center, please contact:

Volvo Trucks North America
Regulatory Affairs Department,
P.O. Box 26115
Greensboro, NC 27402-6115
vtna.regulatoryaffairs@volvo.com

 

PRE NOTIFICATION REMEDIES:

If you have previously paid for repairs as a result of this issue, you may be entitled to recovery of those expenses.

Submit copies of all documentation supporting your claim according to the rules specified in the “General Plan for Reimbursement of Prenotification Remedies” provided in this mailing.

 

We regret any inconvenience this may cause to your operation, but hope you will appreciate our sincere efforts to demonstrate Volvo’s commitment to provide our customers with the best possible product.

 

VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA

 

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1 Affected Product

Equipment

BRAND	PART NO.	PRODUCTION DATES
WATSON & CHALIN	SL2065

 

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8 Associated Documents

Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21E057-5947.pdf 216.799KB

 

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21E057-6799.pdf 645.364KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21E057-7405.pdf 421.328KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21E057-3499.pdf 133.938KB

 

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Recall 573 Report- Amendment 1

RCLRPT-21E057-8879.PDF 215.326KB

 

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Recall 573 Report- Amendment 2

RCLRPT-21E057-5497.PDF 215.568KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21E057-5376.pdf 150.31KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-3

RCLQRT-21E057-3965.PDF 211.138KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21E057&docType=RCL

 

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Last update on 2025-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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