1998 Blue Bird Tc1000 Recalls

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V313000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: February 26th, 1998
Manufactured End Date: November 27th, 1998
Date of Owner Notification: December 17th, 1998

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL AND TRANSIT FORWARD AND REAR ENGINE BUSES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS ISB AND ISC ENGINES. THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE COMBUSTION AIR INTAKE GRID HEATER CAN CHAFE AGAINST THE ENGINE AND WEAR THROUGH CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE GRID HEATER POWER SUPPLY. THE SHORT CAUSES THE FUSIBLE LINK TO FAIL.

Consequence Summary:
WHEN THE FUSIBLE LINK FAILS, INSULATION ON THE FUSIBLE LINK CAN IGNITE, CREATING A FIRE RISK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Corrective Summary:
OWNERS WILL BE ADVISED TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL GRID HEATER POWER SUPPLY HARNESS WITH FUSIBLE LINKS WITH A NEW GRID HEATER POWER SUPPLY HARNESS EQUIPPED WITH FUSES. IN ADDITION, A CLAMP WILL BE ADDED TO SUPPORT THE HARNESS AWAY FROM THE ENGINE COMPONENTS.

Recall Notes:
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 17, 1998. 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 BLUE BIRD AT 1-912-825-2021.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

---

NHTSA Campaign Number: 98V128000
Manufacturer: BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY
Manufactured Begin Date: July 24th, 1996
Manufactured End Date: April 21st, 1998

Defect Summary:
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: STEERING AXLE BRAKE DRUMS, PART NUMBER 61958B, USED IN AN AXLE ASSEMBLY COMBINATION SUPPLIED SOLELY TO BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY BY WEBB WHEEL. THE BRAKE DRUM IS OVERSIZED IN THE AREA ABOVE THE MOUNTING FLANGE AND PREVENTS THE DISC WHEEL FROM MOUNTING FLAT AGAINST THE BRAKE DRUM.

Consequence Summary:
PROLONGED EXPOSURE CAN LEAD TO DISC WHEEL CRACKING AND SUBSEQUENT DISC WHEEL FAILURE. THIS COULD ALSO LEAD TO LOOSE FLANGE NUTS AND LOSS OF A WHEEL IF NOT DETECTED.

Corrective Summary:
WEBB WHEEL WILL REPLACE BOTH STEERING AXLE BRAKE DRUMS. ALSO, IF CONTACT IS PRESENT BETWEEN THE BRAKE DRUM AND THE DISC WHEEL, BOTH STEERING AXLE BRAKE DRUMS AND BOTH STEERING AXLE DISC WHEELS WILL BE REPLACED.

Recall Notes:
WEBB WHEEL IS CONDUCTING THE OWNER NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY FOR THIS CAMPAIGN.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 26, 1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR BUSES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WEBB WHEEL AT 1-800-633-3256.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).