NHTSA Complaint #11139267 — 1998 INTERNATIONAL 9400

THE SUBJECT TRACTOR-TRAILER WAS EQUIPPED WITH A GRAB HANDLE FASTENING SYSTEM FOR THE DRIVER TO UTILIZE WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DESIGNED TO HAVE A 1 1/4 INCH STAINLESS STEEL BOLT AND CARBON STEEL NUT FASTENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE GRAB HANDLE'S UPPER BRACKET TO THE GALVANIZED LOW CARBON TORCA UNISTRAP STAINLESS STEEL HEAT SHIELD CREATING ADDITIONAL UNINTENDED STRESSES AND PREVENTING PROPER TORQUEING OF THE CONNECTION. THIS BOLT WAS TOO LONG AND WHEN TIGHTENED ACTUALLY PUSHED THE UPPER CONNECTION, INCLUDING THE CAPTURED NUT, AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE RELEASING THE CAPTURED NUT WHICH LED TO ITS FAILURE. THOSE MISMATCHED STEEL MATERIALS LED TO PREFERENTIAL ACCELERATED CORROSION AND FATIGUE CRACKING, CONTRARY TO AND IN VIOLATION OF ASTM STANDARD F593. IN ADDITION, THE SUBJECT TRACTOR-TRAILER WAS DESIGNED TO USE A SINGLE-BOLTED CONNECTION INSTEAD OF A DUEL-BOLTED CONNECTION; OR WAS DESIGNED TO USE A MULTI-PIECE GRAB HANDLE SYSTEM INSTEAD OF A SINGLE PIECE GRAB HANDLE SYSTEM RESULTING IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE GRAB HANDLE FASTENING SYSTEM AND SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY. THERE HAVE BEEN PRIOR OCCURRENCES, INCLUDING THE DELOROSA MATTER. SEE DETAILED ATTACHMENTS. *TR