98-4627. Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 1998)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 9294-9295]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-4627]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
    
    
    Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition
    
    AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
    Department of Transportation.
    
    ACTION: Denial of petition for a defect investigation.
    
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    SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a 
    petition submitted to NHTSA under 49 U.S.C. 30162, requesting that the 
    agency commence a proceeding to determine the existence of a defect 
    related to motor vehicle safety.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. George Chiang, Office of Defects 
    Investigation, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. 
    Telephone: (202) 366-5206.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Mr. and Mrs. Scott Montreuil of Ramsey, 
    Minnesota, submitted a petition dated October 1, 1997, requesting that 
    an investigation be initiated to determine whether 1993 Chrysler Jeep 
    Grand Cherokees contain a defect related to motor vehicle safety within 
    the meaning of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301. The petition alleges that 1993 
    Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokees have a defective viscous coupling that 
    could cause the steering to bind and lock up, and possibly affect the 
    vehicle's braking.
        Although not all Jeep Grand Cherokees utilize a viscous coupling, 
    some 1993 through 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokees are equipped with a Quadra-
    Trac transfer case. An integral part of the Quadra-Trac transfer case 
    is its viscous coupling, a speed-sensitive device that controls torque 
    output between the front and rear drive shafts.
    
    [[Page 9295]]
    
    The housing of the viscous coupling contains high viscosity silicone 
    fluid and specially engineered metal plates splined alternately to an 
    inner and outer drum. When there is a difference in front-to-rear axle 
    speed, such as when the rear wheels slip, the resulting friction 
    between the metal plates increases the temperature inside the unit. 
    This causes the fluid to expand, building pressure that moves the 
    plates together. This occurs almost instantaneously in two modes: the 
    ``shear'' mode, when momentary speed differences occur such as in 
    cornering or tight turns, causing the plates to move near each other, 
    or the ``hump'' mode, when high-speed differences occur for a longer 
    period of time, such as in deep snow or on off-road trails, causing the 
    plates to lock and the front and rear drive shafts to turn at the same 
    speed for maximum traction. As traction is gained, the fluid cools, and 
    the plates separate.
        When the viscous coupling fails, it may remain in one of the above 
    two modes all the time, regardless of whether there is a difference 
    between front-and-rear axle speed. If the coupling fails in the 
    ``hump'' mode on dry pavement, it may cause vehicle hopping/bucking 
    during turns, resulting in rapid wear of tires.
        NHTSA drove a Jeep Grand Cherokee with a simulated failure of the 
    viscous coupling in the ``hump'' mode on dry pavement at various 
    speeds. Some hopping/bucking was experienced while the vehicle executed 
    turns. However, no steering or braking problems were experienced at any 
    time.
        A review of agency data files, including information reported to 
    the Auto Safety Hotline by consumers, indicated that, aside from the 
    petition, there were no other reports concerning failure or malfunction 
    of the viscous coupling in 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokees. There was a 
    report pertaining to transmission lockup when the engine was started, 
    but this was not related to a failure of the viscous coupling.
        Chrysler Corporation has received 40 complaints concerning failure 
    or malfunction of the viscous coupling in the transfer case of 1993 
    Jeep Grand Cherokees. Five of these complaints report handling 
    problems, such as vehicle hopping during turns. The remaining 35 
    complaints are solely related to financial assistance issues. No 
    crashes or injuries were reported.
        The agency has analyzed available information concerning the 
    problem alleged in the petition. Based on its understanding of viscous 
    couplings, NHTSA believes that the failure or malfunction of the 
    viscous coupling in the subject vehicles cannot cause lockup of the 
    steering or adversely affect the brake system.
        For the reasons presented above, it is unlikely that NHTSA would 
    issue an order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related 
    defect in the subject vehicles at the conclusion of the investigation 
    requested in the petition. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate 
    and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the 
    agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.
    
        Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30162(d); delegations of authority at CFR 
    1.50 and 501.8.
    
        Issued on: January 29, 1998.
    Kenneth N. Weinstein,
    Associate Administrator for Safety Assurance.
    [FR Doc. 98-4627 Filed 2-23-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-59-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
02/24/1998
Department:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Denial of petition for a defect investigation.
Document Number:
98-4627
Pages:
9294-9295 (2 pages)
PDF File:
98-4627.pdf