2003 Kenworth T300, 2003 Peterbilt 330, 2003 Peterbilt 357 and 3 other models Recall: ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE LOCKING TAB THAT LOCKS THE OUTER SPINDLE…

The defect

ON CERTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS, THE LOCKING TAB THAT LOCKS THE OUTER SPINDLE NUT ONTO THE SPINDLE WAS NOT ENGAGED OR PROPERLY BENT OVER.

The risk

FAILURE TO PROPERLY ENGAGE THE LOCKING FEATURE INTO THE NUT COULD CAUSE THE NUT TO LOOSEN WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE WHEEL BEARING TO OVER HEAT AND FAIL IF UNDETECTED. IF THE LOOSE NUT IS NOT DETECTED, THE OUTER END (TIRE, WHEEL AND HUB ASSEMBLY) COULD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

The fix — what to do

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE HUBS TO DETERMINE IF THE LOCKING TABS ARE PROPERLY BENT. IF THE LOCKING TABS ARE NOT BENT, THEN DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS FOR PREMATURE WEAR AND REPLACE SUCH COMPONENTS AS REQUIRED AND PROPERLY SECURE THE RETAINING NUT BY BENDING OVER THE LOCKING TAB. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 17, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KENWORTH AT 1-425-828-5440 OR PETERBILT AT 940-591-4201.

KENWORTH RECALL NO. 03KW8/PETERBILT RECALL NO. 803-D.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).