MIDLAND BRAKE, INC.: Safety Recalls in 1985

DIAPHRAGM MATERIAL WHICH HAS RUBBER BONDED TO BOTH SIDES OF A NYLON FABRIC REINFORCEMENT MAY HAVE INSUFFICIENT BOND BETWEEN THE FABRIC AND THE RUBBER ON ONE SIDE OF THE DIAPHRAGM. IF THE DIAPHRAGM IS INSTALLED WITH THE INSUFFICIENT BONDED SIDE DOWN, IT PERMITS PRESSURIZED AIR TO ENTER BETWEEN THE FABRIC AND RUBBER CAUSING DELAMINATION. THIS RESULTS IN BALLOONING OF THE RUBBER MATERIAL WHICH RESTRICTS THE FLOW OF AIR FROM THE SPRING BRAKE AND HOLDS THE SPRING BRAKE IN THE RELEASE POSITION. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE SPRING BRAKES ARE USED AS A PARKING BRAKE AND THE DIAPHRAGM DEFECT PROHIBITS THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR IN A ROLL AWAY SITUATION. WHERE THE SPRING BRAKES ARE EMPLOYED AS A SECONDARY EMERGENCY BRAKE, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR IF THE AIR BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES THE SPRING BRAKES, DEVELOPS A PARTIAL OR COMPLETE SYSTEM FAILURE THROUGH LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE AND THE DIAPHRAGM DEFECT PROHIBITS THE APPLICATION OF THE SPRING BRAKES.