Bendix announces no-cost fix for spring brake valve recall

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Updated Aug 16, 2016
Bendix SR-5 Spring Brake ValveBendix SR-5 Spring Brake Valve

Bendix announced Monday it is making available a no-cost permanent remedy kit for trailers affected by a recent recall campaign.

Several trailer OEMs have recalled nearly 40,000 trailers equipped with the Bendix SR-5 spring brake valve, which is sold outright and also included in Bendix antilock braking (ABS) kits for trailers.

In response to the recall, Bendix part number K140496 is now available free of charge to enable repair of Bendix SR-5 spring brake valves identified in the voluntary safety recall campaign. Bendix has directed impacted 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 the remedy kit.

Bendix notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in May of the start of a voluntary safety recall campaign involving all Bendix SR-5 trailer spring brake valves manufactured between Jan. 1, 2014 and March 4, 2016.

Bendix says, 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. 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. This issue does not affect the tractor brakes, Bendix adds.

As remedy kits are shipped into the marketplace, Bendix asks vehicle owners to 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 weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, toll-free at 1-877-345-9526, or by email at [email protected].

Information is also available at our online Product Action Center under the Services & Support tab on bendix.com. Applicable information on the recall is available and refreshed often.

Jason Cannon has written about trucking and transportation for more than a decade and serves as Chief Editor of Commercial Carrier Journal. A Class A CDL holder, Jason is a graduate of the Porsche Sport Driving School, an honorary Duckmaster at The Peabody in Memphis, Tennessee, and a purple belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. Reach him at [email protected]