1981 Thomas THOMAS recalls

MOVABLE PART OF SEAT IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE SEAT BELT.

Consequence

SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN DRIVER.

Remedy

INSTALL A TETHER STRAP.

SYSTEM: SEAT BELT.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES WITH SUSPENSION TYPE DRIVERS SEATS.

SANDERS WERE INSTALLED WITHOUT REINFORCEMENT PLATES AT POINT WHERE MOUNTING ANGLE BRACKETS ARE ATTACHED TO THE BUS BODY FLOOR CHANNEL. FLOOR CHANNEL MAY CRACK, POSSIBLY ALLOWING THE SANDER TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE BUS BODY FLOOR CHANNEL. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF SANDER BECOMES DETACHED IT WILL POSE A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY.

Remedy

INSTALL REINFORCEMENT PLATES TO PREVENT CRACKING OF FLOOR CHANNEL.

SYSTEM: STRUCTURE/REINFORCEMENT PLATES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION. BUSES PRODUCED WITH OPTIONAL ELECTRIC TRACTION SANDERS LOCATED AHEAD OF THE REAR WHEELS.

THE TURN SIGNAL MECHANISM IN THE STEERING COLUMN MAY BREAK; THE BROKEN PIECE MAY BECOME JAMMED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. WHILE USING THE TURN SIGNAL AND TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE OPERATOR MAY EXPERIENCE EITHER INCREASED STEERING EFFORT IN THE TURN, OR BINDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN THE WHEEL IS RETURNED TO A STRAIGHT POSITION.

Remedy

A REPLACEMENT SWITCH WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO OWNERS; OWNER HAS THE OPTION TO MAKE THE REPAIR HIMSELF OR HAVE IT DONE BY A DEALER. THERE WILL BE NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER FOR THE SWITCH OR THE REPAIR.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES WITHOUT FLOOR MOUNTED TURN SIGNAL SWITCHES.SYSTEM: LIGHTING AND COMMUNICATIONS; TURN SIGNAL SWITCH.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: INCREASED STEERING EFFORT OR BINDING COULD RESULT INLOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

LUGGAGE RACK ABOVE THE SEATS PROTRUDES INTO THE UPPER LIMIT OF THE HEAD IMPACT ZONE.

Consequence

BUSES DO NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 222.

Remedy

REPOSITION LUGGAGE RACK.

SYSTEM: LUGGAGE RACK/FMVSS 222.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES.

OPENING THE ROOF HATCH PAST 90 DEGREES CAN DISENGAGE THE HINGE PIN RETAINER RING ALLOWING THE HINGE PINS TO WORK OUT.

Consequence

ROOF HATCH COULD SEPARATE FROM THE BUS AND INJUREINDIVIDUALS IN THE VICINITY.

Remedy

INSTALL TWO HINGE PINS TO PREVENT ROOF HATCH SEPARATION.

SYSTEM: ROOF HATCH.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES WITH EMERGENCY ROOF EXISTS.

CERTAIN "U" SHAPED BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE AXLES TO THE SPRINGS, WHEN INSTALLED AND TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATIONS, MAY BE STRETCHED BEYOND THE YIELD POINT OF THE MATERIAL AND COULD BREAK.

Remedy

ALL UNITS WILL HAVE THE "U" BOLTS REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE. THIS INCLUDES NUTS AND LOCKWASHERS.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUSES.SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; "U" BOLTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FAILURE OF THE "U" BOLTS CAN LEAD TO A MISPLACED AXLE,WHICH MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.