Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems announced Monday, Aug. 15, that a no-cost permanent remedy kit is now available to enable repair of Bendix SR-5 spring brake valves identified in a voluntary safety recall campaign. Since June, more than 200,000 trailers made by a number of manufacturers have been recalled due an issue with the brake valves.
Bendix is directing affected vehicle owners to work through their vehicle OEM or an authorized Bendix parts outlet – depending on how each OEM has elected to administer the recall – to obtain this remedy kit, known as Bendix part No. K140496.
On May 10, 2016, Bendix notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the start of a voluntary safety recall campaign involving the Bendix SR-5 spring brake valve, which is sold outright and is also included in Bendixantilock braking kits for trailers. The recall was assigned number 16E045.
This recall includes all Bendix SR-5 trailer spring brake valves manufactured between Jan. 1, 2014, and March 4, 2016. The SR-5 is a trailer-only product, so no powered vehicles (tractors) are affected. This issue potentially affects any trailer that uses this valve. According to Bendix, this action does not affect SR-5 spring brake valves manufactured prior to or after the stated dates.
Approximately 200,000 SR-5 valves are covered. These valves were made available through vehicle OEMs and the aftermarket. As part of the reporting requirements, OEMs will indicate which of the trailers they manufactured – identified by year and model number – that are part of the total number of trailers containing valves reported by Bendix as a part of this voluntary action.
Bendix said last month that under a combination of a unique set of circumstances, it is possible (though not probable) for an internal leakage to develop in the SR-5 unit, resulting in slow-to-apply spring brakes when parking the trailer. According to Monday’s press statement, the leak is heard or observed at the supply (red) gladhand when uncoupled from the tractor – or, if coupled, from the exhaust of the park control valve (BendixMV-3 dash control valve). Bendix emphasizes that this issue does not affect the tractor brakes.
In a press release on Monday, Aug. 15, Bendix states that as remedy kits are shipped into the marketplace, vehicle owners should follow the instructions provided in direct communications from their OEM or Bendix in the coming weeks. Bendix Product Action Center representatives are available to assist vehicle owners with questions about this voluntary recall Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, toll-free at 877-345-9526, or by email at SR5campaign@Bendix.com.
Information is also available at the company’s online Product Action Center under the Services & Support tab on Bendix.com. According to Bendix’s press statement, applicable information on the recall is available and refreshed often.
