Safety Recall - Montana Owners Club

FredG · 09-13-2005, 07:34 AM

I just received a UPS package from Montana reporting a Recall on 2004 Montana VIN numbers in the range 506030 to 510774 with the 6 lug Aluminum Wheel option. The recall is based on wheel seperation issues.

The dealer will address this issue "by removing the aluminum wheels, cleaning any contamination which could affect the lug nts ability to maintain proper torque, reinstalling the wheels with proper torque, reviewing/demonstrating proper torque techniques and owner maintenance requirements to you". They are also requiring us to sign a "Acknowledgement" which confirms the dealer provided instruction.

They also included a DVD demonstrating proper wheel torque maintenance and wheel reinstallation. In addition, they set up a special number for this issue, 1-877-U-TORQUE.

I will be calling the dealer to arrange this.

I posted this as heads up for anybody who has changed their address or is travelling and can't get a signature required UPS package.

Fred

DHenry · 09-13-2005, 08:21 AM

Thanks Fred for the information. What do they recommend you torque the lug nuts to?

FredG · 09-13-2005, 10:22 AM

I had to head to work, so I didn't get a chance to watch the DVD yet. I'll let you know after I get to watch it.

Fred

Bowie · 09-13-2005, 04:10 PM

Thanks for the heads up Fred! We do indeed have the aluminum wheel option on our rig and have been torquing our lug nuts regularly--we had hoped properly. At the risk of sounding completely clueless, we have our VIN from our purchase order and from our NYS inspection receipt in front of us. It consists of 11 numbers and letters THEN followed by six additional digits which fall within the range of numbers you listed above. This is the number which tells us that we should be getting the packet from Keystone--correct? I'll be calling the phone number you have noted above to check in on this as well. Really appreciate your letting us all know about the recall. Bill

sreigle · 09-14-2005, 04:44 AM

Bowie, when we've talked with Keystone they always wanted the last six numbers of the VIN so I'd guess that's what is referred to here.

OntMont · 09-14-2005, 03:10 PM

Keystone really stressed torquing of wheel nuts at the rally. They are sending DVD's to all recent customers. They not only wanted us to use a torque wrench regularly, but to promote it among ALL RVers that we meet in our travels. (Even the delivery drivers are required to have a torque wrench with them, - hard to know if the use it though).

Talking of delivery drivers, we saw one hauling an Outback 5er, with a dolly behind pulling a Sprinter TT. I couldn't see how he had the dolly hitched to the Outback, maybe just a long hitch pole back to his truck??? Sure looked like a handfull to manouver.

tweir · 09-15-2005, 04:58 AM

Received my "recall" notice yesterday from Keystone---this is a NHSTA safety item and as noted earlier, the recall is by VIN. To date, we have not experienced any problems and I always Torque the lug nuts before each trip.

Montana_984 · 09-15-2005, 06:47 PM

Read my reply under aluminmum Wheel failure, re: valve stems

Broome101 · 09-16-2005, 05:58 AM

Whats the proper torque they should be at 120lbs or what?

jpkelpe · 09-16-2005, 07:54 PM

at the Rally Keystone told us 120 pounds is the magic torque number.

krvk · 09-18-2005, 12:59 PM

I just saw this recall notice on the RV.NET web site last night, We have the '04' 3295RK (6) lug alum wheels and our VIN falls within the numbers listed. Recall #05V-309 and Service Adv. 05-055. I have always torqued the wheels before each trip per my manual (criss-cross), which states 85 to 95 lbs. Have not recieved any notice from Ketstone yet, will stop by the dealer tomorrow and check it out.

rames14 · 09-19-2005, 08:46 AM

There may be a slight difference in torque between Dexter and Alko axles. The best thing is to read your manual to find the exact torque, but if you set to 110 - 120 ft lbs, you will be fine. I found a nice torque wrench at Menards for $17. The socket for most is 13/16". I found this at Sears. Do not use a 3/8" socket, or you will end up twisting off the end of the extension (wonder how I know that?). You have several choices - dial or clicker. If you have never used a torque wrench, do not bounce the wrench, a steady pull until you hit the dial reading or hear the click. Be sure and torque in a star pattern - 12:00, 6:00, 1:00, 7:00, 11:00, 5:00, 9:00, 3:00. If changing wheels, it is a three step process starting at 20 ft lbs, then I think 55 ft lbs, then final torque. This is all explained in the DVD. You can also download this file from Keystone that shows the proper torque technique:
http://keystone-goshen.com/pdf/maintenance.pdf.

sreigle · 09-20-2005, 11:19 AM

I was thinking our Alko-Kober specs were for 90-110 but I'd have to doublecheck that.

Beware not to overtorque those lugnuts or you warp the drum and will have a lot of brake noise. I used to think we had bad brakes that squalled loudly when we were stopping. After having a brake job done we had no squalling. We stopped every 50 miles or so to retorque the lugs as you're supposed to do. After the first time I noticed the squalling was back. Same after the second time. So then I stopped, loosened them all, and used my torque wrench instead of the breaker bar I was using. No more squalling. That's been about 10,000 miles ago.

You may also like: