NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Engineering Analysis EA85-031: REAR WHEEL LOCKUP
- Closed
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened Engineering Analysis EA85-031 on July 12, 1985 and closed it on October 11, 1988. NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1983–1984 Ford F250 for it.
Updated daily from NHTSA's investigations file
Key facts
- NHTSA number
- EA85-031 (also written EA85031)
- Investigation type
- Engineering Analysis A more detailed stage of a defect investigation, opened when NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation decides an issue merits further review, often after a Preliminary Evaluation or a Recall Query; it can include vehicle testing, surveys and further information requests.
- Status
- Closed October 11, 1988
- Opened
- Closed
- Vehicle or equipment manufacturer
- Ford Motor Company
- Component
- Suspension
- Vehicles and equipment
- 1983–1984 Ford F250
A recall appears here only when NHTSA's investigations file links one to the investigation; NHTSA's summary or record can name others.
NHTSA's summary
As NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation wrote it for Engineering Analysis EA85-031.
SUMMARY: THE 6.9L DIESEL ENGINE WAS NOT UTILIZED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLESPRIOR TO THE 1983 MODEL YEAR.A PROPORTIONING VALVE WAS ADDED AND THEFRONT BRAKE METERING VALVE (WHICH DELAYS FRONT BRAKE APPLICATION) WASDELETED ON 1984 MODELS.FORD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN IN NOVEMBER 1983RECOMMENDING THAT A 275 PSI PROPORTIONING VALVE BE INSTALLED FOR OWNERSWHO COMPLAIN OF EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE SENSITIVITY.ANALYSIS:THE 6.9L DIESEL ENGINE INCREASES VEHICLE WEIGHT BY ALMOST900 LBS. COMPARED TO A TRUCK WITH A SMALLER V-8 GASOLINE ENGINE. MOST OFTHE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT IS SUPPORTED BY THE FRONT WHEELS.THE DESIGN CHAN-GES INCORPORATED IN 1984 APPEAR TO HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM.STATUS:FINAL ETF TEST REPORT RECEIVED 6/15/87.
IR RESPONSE DATED10/12/87.
Vehicles and equipment listed for this investigation
NHTSA's investigations file lists these vehicles and equipment for Engineering Analysis EA85-031. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to that page's NHTSA investigations section.
Ford
All Ford recallsWhat an NHTSA investigation is
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) looks into possible safety defects in vehicles and equipment, often after owner complaints. An investigation usually starts as a Preliminary Evaluation, or as a Recall Query when it concerns whether an existing recall covers the right vehicles or fixes the problem, and ODI can upgrade it to a more detailed Engineering Analysis. A Defect Petition asks NHTSA to open an investigation, and Audit and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations into whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules.
An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.
To see whether a specific vehicle has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Ford VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Sources
NHTSA's investigation record for EA85-031
Investigation details come from NHTSA's investigations file, which try.vin imports once a day. The investigation types are described from the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General's May 2023 report on NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA's petition rules (49 CFR Parts 552 and 557) and NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation procedures. How try.vin reads NHTSA investigations.