Step recall 15-225 update: May 12-2015

[jfaberna]

I got a call from Larry Long from NHTSA in response to my email concerning my recall failing again.

So here's the latest. NHTSA is very concerned about the way this recall have been done. Hickory Springs is the one who generated the recall and the instructions and procedure to make the repair. Keystone more or less did the same thing to their dealers. One big exception. Hickory Springs called for a type of nut called a Stover nut which is a distorted Oval locking nut. Keystone just called out a standard nut.

That explains why my recall failed because Tiara RV did what Keystone told them to do.

NHTSA is contacting Keystone today with their concerns about not having a locking nut in their fix.

[Rondo]

We'll have to see what Keystone does now since NHTA is on their case on their fix. Mine is going in on Thursday and I'll be talking to them about the difference on the recall fixes.

[rohrmann]

When you go in for the fix, if they aren't using the locking nuts, at least Loctite would be better than nothing.

[Bigboomer]

Maybe it is who packs the fix boxes to be sent out? Our fix came in with the correct bolts and nuts. They probably send some kid to the local Lowe's who then asks the knucklehead in the hardware aisle what bolts and nuts he needs and the cycle of incompetancy continues

[jfaberna]

Just received a call from Keystone. They found the problem. Some early kits of parts sent to dealers didn't contain lock nuts. They are pulling any remaining kits and resupplying the dealers. They are sending me a new kit of parts, so my step fix will be official and not my own fix from ACE parts.

[smitty1955]

just had our's done came with lock nuts man came out fixed in about 1 hr or so had to pay a 75.00 $$ service call ???but it's done

[DougnDawn]

A week ago I set up the appointment with my dealer to have the recall on the steps fixed. Was ready to go out and hook up the Monty this morning for the 45 min. trip to the dealer and the hour wait for the fix. Phone rings,
Dealer, "hope you haven't started your trip yet?"
Me "No, I haven't."
Dealer "Good, just received a call from Keystone and the fix isn't working, we will be getting a new fix kit and we'll call you to reschedule when it arrives"
Me "Thanks for the call, good timing!"

I have a great dealer and Thanks Keystone for the quick action on the 'fix to the fix'. And, maybe the MOC and jfaberna had something to do with it!!

[jfaberna]

Glad they caught you in time DoungnDawn. I was a little concerned that Larry Long of NHTSA wanted to use my case to escalate the problem. I didn't want to get on Keystone's Sh_t list. But the gentleman from Keystone was very nice and seemed glad to know I reported it quickly. I noticed he didn't say you should have called us first. Actually I did call Tiara RV, then Keystone, but all they said was take it back into another dealer near me. So escalation to NHTSA was the fastest approach because Keystone found the problem the next day.

[jpkelpe]

We had ours done last Monday now told today we get the new fix

[TAKPAK]

I was just by our dealer yesterday and asked about scheduling. The service manager told me that everything was on hold, pending a review of the problem. Apparently Hickory "recalled the recall" and now is looking into the possibility that there may be more issues. So, I'm to call back next week and check to see what the updates are and possibly reschedule. Regrettably he said, some people have repaired the steps themselves, and in the future if anything happens, they will be out of luck, since it was not done by an authorized facility. It's all about liability these days......!

[Rondo]

Well I was in at my dealer for the recall on the steps yesterday. They have received a "recall on the recall" is correct but they told me that Keystone had been sending out the wrong bolts and nuts. As stated earlier in this thread the nuts have to be locknuts and the bolts have to be tempered bolts and those that were sent out were neither. The "recall kits" have to be reordered and you will be contacted by your dealer if you have already had the original "recall" taken care of already. They are ordering our parts and hope to have them within a couple of weeks or so and hope to have my unit back to me ASAP. They have till the 10th on ours to do some of the recall and several other items before I pick it up again before the MOC Central Plains Regional Rally.

[jfaberna]

After my call from Keystone, the new recall parts that they committed arrived today. The parts came with a 7 page instruction manual. It is complete and even contains torque settings. The kits of parts are separated into 2 bags, one for the top step and one for the 3rd step. The parts are different, bolts longer for top step and the nylon spacer is thicker for the top step. The kit now includes Stover nuts to lock them in place. It suggest Gloss Black Rust-Oleum paint to protect the hardware, but it is not included.

My fix is holding, but when time allows, I'll replace the hardware with what Keystone provided and install per their specs. Considering their original factory recall was wrong and the fix failed in 18 hours, I'm satisfied with how they handled the recall of the recall for me. However, the Hickory Springs Steps are still too flexible and I don't see keeping them to long. They don't tighten up with age.