OOSC, Part II, Item 9. Suspensions, a. and d. - Spring Hangers and/or Tracking Components
| Entry Date | March 29, 2012 |
|---|---|
| Issue Number | 12-012-VEH |
| Name | Monica S. Felix |
| Agency | U.S. DOT / FMCSA |
| Address | 220 N. Mariposa RoadNogales, AZ, 85621United StatesMap It (opens in a new tab) |
| Phone | 520-287-2633 |
| Fax | (520) 287-2032 |
| [email protected] | |
| Committee | Vehicle Committee |
| Status | Closed |
| Summary of Issue | The spring hanger is called or referred to as spring hanger and/or tracking component. In the OOSC under SUSPENSIONS, 9.a. - Axle Parts/Members. If the spring hanger is cracked, loose, or missing resulting in shifting of an axle...it is an OOS condition. In accordance with OOS verbiage under SUSPENSION 9.d. - Torque, Radius, Tracking or Sway Bar Components: Any part of a torque, radius, or tracking component assembly or any part used for attaching same to the vehicle frame or axle that is cracked, loose, broken, or missing… is OOS under 393.207(a). 1)Is the spring hanger considered a TRACKING COMPONENT? If it is… 2)What cite should be used if the spring hanger is cracked? Seems that if the spring hanger is cracked, loose or missing with no evidence of shifting, that the condition can be treated as a cracked, loose or missing tracking component part and then it can be placed OOS. |
| Justification or Need | The fact that a vehicle can be placed OOS if the spring hanger is cracked, loose, or missing with evidence of shifting or consider the spring hanger as a tracking component part, find it cracked, loose, or missing with no other requirement (shifting). When the spring hanger is considered a tracking component part is to vague. As of right now, the verbiage leaves to much discretion for the officer to consider either 9.a or 9.d. |
| Request for Action | Clarification as to when a spring hanger is to be considered a tracking component part and when it is not. |