1985 Thomas THOMAS recalls

THE BODY IS SUBJECT TO SHIFT FORWARD DURING AN IMPACT AND THE FUEL FILLER HOSE AND/OR FUEL VENT LINE HOSE MAY SEPARATE FROM EITHER THE FUEL FILLER NECK OR THE GAS TANK. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS 301. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A FUEL SPILL COULD OCCUR AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL NEW FUEL FILLER AND VENT LINE HOSES, WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF BEING STRETCHED BEYOND THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE BODY COULD SHIFT FORWARD DURING A 30 MPH FRONTAL IMPACT.

SYSTEM: FUEL/FMVSS 301. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SCHOOL BUS WITH GVWR OF 10,000 LBS. OR LESS AND BUSES OVER 10,000 LBS.

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.

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.

A BATTERY CABLE ROUTING CHANGE MAY CAUSE THE POSITIVE CABLE TO RUB AGAINST THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING REAR HANGER, POSSIBLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CABLE AT THE POINT OF CHAFING. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A SHORT CIRCUIT AT THIS LOCATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE VEHICLE AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy

A REPAIR KIT, INCLUDING CLAMPS, BRACKETS AND INSTRUCTIONS, WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS; OR THOMAS DISTRIBUTOR WILL DO THE REPAIRS.

SYSTEM: BATTERY CABLE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CONVENTIONAL BUS AND SCHOOL BUS BODIES MOUNTED ON FORD CHASSIS.

HEATER HOSE MAY CHAFE PRIMARY AND/OR SECONDARY HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES AT THE MASTER CYLINDER.

Consequence

HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES COULD RUPTURE AND LOSE FLUIDRESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING POWER.

Remedy

INSTALL PROTECTIVE BRACKET AT MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER TO PREVENT THE HEATER HOSE FROM CONTACTING THE BRAKE LINES.

SYSTEM: HEATER HOSE/HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CONVENTIONAL BODY BUSES AND SCHOOL BUSES ON CHEVROLET ORGMC CHASSIS WITH GVWR GREATER THAN 10000 POUNDS.