Steer axle hub failure

An NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation into Kenworth vehicles. Closed 4 September 1986.

Investigation
PE86068
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Opened
29 July 1986
Closed
4 September 1986

What NHTSA investigated

Summary of information from manufacturer:in their october, 1982, responseto this office, paccar stated, ... Testing and analysis indicated aprojected life of over one million miles (1,000,000) when operated atrated load under usual and customary conditions.analysis:the hub appears to be susceptible to fatigue failure especiallyunder heavy braking, cornering and rough road conditions.although nosafety trend was identified during the original investigation, it isapparent that fatigue failures are occurring.the canadian ministry oftransport reports 25 recent complaints on this issue.previous informationshows that fatigue failures did not occur in the previous designed hub,or the rear design hub.presumably all three hubs are subjected to thesame types of dynamic loading, yet the K150-D-202 hub apparently fails ata higher rate than the other two.proposed action:open a pe.send an ir for updated statistics on thisalleged problem.

The recall that followed

  1. Kenworth — Suspension: Hub86V11900026 August 19864,300 vehicles

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
KenworthCOE SERIES1979
KenworthKENWORTH1975–1981
PeterbiltPETERBILT1975–1981

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.