Attachment III - Technical Information

OVERVIEW





Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (Firestone) recently announced a voluntary safety campaign of Firestone Steeltex Radial A/T LT265/75R16 load range "D" outlined white letters (OWL) and black sidewall (BSW) tires. These tires were available as standard or optional equipment on certain 2000 through 2003 Excursion vehicles produced at Louisville Assembly Plant from March 24, 1999 through February 13, 2003. The flow chart in Figure 1 identifies the three (3) possible service scenarios for this program.

SERVICE ACTION

Inspect each tire on the affected vehicles including the spare, to verify that they meet each of the following criteria:

^ Tires are identified as Steeltex A/T OWL or BSW.

^ Tire size is LT265/75R16.

^ Tires are identified as Load Range "D".





Refer to the flow chart to determine the proper course of action and replace tires accordingly. The load range stamping can be found on either sidewall of the tire. See Figure 2.

Record each unique complete 10-12 digit DOT code of the original and the replacement tires on the repair order. This information will be required when the claim for this repair is entered.





Also remove the Tire Pressure Warning Label if equipped located on the driver door near the latch. See Figure 3.

NOTE:
All replacement tires for the affected vehicles should be inflated to the recommended tire pressure located on the certification label.

TIRE DISPOSAL

Tires removed from vehicles must immediately be made unusable by either cutting the bead with bolt cutters or drilling a one-inch diameter hole through the sidewall. After mutilating the tire(s), follow the Tire Recovery and Recycling Process (Attachment V).

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR POST REPAIR RETIGHTEN PROCEDURE

The Owners Guide and workshop repair manual recommend that each wheel removed and reinstalled must have the wheel lug nut torque retightened at 800 km (500 miles) after service. Lug nut torque specification is 224 Nm (165 lb-ft). This is required to permit the wheel clamping system to seat correctly so that the wheel lug nuts will hold a uniform clamp load and remain fully tightened. To claim this operation, refer to Attachment I.