Engineering Analysis · FUEL TANK INTEGRITY · Opened 1988-01-19 · Closed 1988-05-03
Investigation
Action number
EA88017
Type
Engineering Analysis
Open date
1988-01-19
Close date
1988-05-03
Manufacturer
ESTABLISMENT INDUSTRIES
Affected makes
ESTABLISHMENT
Affected components
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
Affected model years
1988, 9999
Affected (make, year) variants
2
Summary
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURES:THE AEROLITE IS BUILT ON AMODIFIED GM M VAN (ASTRO/SAFARI) CHASSIS WHERE THE FRAME RAILS ARE EXTENDEDAND THE REAR AXLE IS REPLACED WITH A FULL SIZE GM LIGHT TRUCK AXLE.THESTANDARD AEROLITE IS EQUIPPED WITH A 27 GALLON FUEL TANK.ANALYSIS:THE UNIVERSAL JOINT CAN IMPACT AND PENETRATE THE FUEL TANK UNDERCERTAIN CONDITIONS INCLUDING:VEHICLE LOADING, ROAD CONDITIONS, ANDDRIVING CHARACTERISTICS BECAUSE OF THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THETANK TO THEDRIVE SHAFT.IF THE REAR AIR BAG SUSPENSION LEAKS, THE CLEARANCE BETWEENTHE DRIVESHAFT AND THE FUEL TANK IS FURTHER REDUCED.THE ORIGINAL FUELTANK WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW TANK AND STRAP ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE GREATERCLEARANCE.#===