Interpretation ID: nht80-4.25

DATE: 12/09/80

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; F. Berndt; NHTSA

TO: Cragar Industries, Inc.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: The Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance has asked me to respond to your October 14, 1980, letter asking for a clarification of the basis upon which it was suggested that your wheel spinners may not be in compliance with Safety Standard No. 211, Wheel Nuts, Wheel Discs, and Hub Caps.

Standard No. 211 prohibits the manufacture or assembly of wheel nuts, wheel discs and hub caps that incorporate winged projections. This safety standard has been in effect since 1968 and was implemented at that time, because it was determined that these devices presented potential safety hazards to pedestrians and to cyclists. Prior to 1968, manufacturers were constructing devices with winged projections that extended quite far from the wheel. To prevent this from arising again, the agency issued the standard prohibiting the manufacture of all such devices.

From reviewing the wheel spinner that you are producing, our technical staff has concluded that it incorporates a winged projection of the type prohibited by the standard. Accordingly, our staff notified you of your possible noncompliance. I trust that this clarifies the basis of our investigation. Any questions that you have with respect to this possible noncompliance should be referred to our Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.

Pursuant to your request, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will provide confidential treatment, subject to the limitation of 15 U.S.C. 1418(a)(2)(B), for the total production figure in paragraph 4 of your October 14 letter.