Fan/Gearbox Mounting

[ewlee]

There are a few threads going about the fan, fan shroud, and the gearbox mounting support currently. The photos and description of a failure is ugly. I have seen and was told there is a modification for the support frame where the tubular support is replaced by a much heavier square support frame. I have searched the Freightliner documentation available to me and cannot find any mention of such a modification. Does anybody have information on this, how about chassisguy, any input on this. I plan on calling Gaffney tomorrow, my guess is they will be less than forthcoming on information. Any information would be useful.

[tom chelbana]

In 2015 and 16 there were numerous FL chassis which the fan brackets broke and the fan went into radiator and CAC. That problem looks like isn't a problem if the owners got the update brackets.

[Phil_Cook]

I did not see any recalls for the brackets. Do we call freightliner?

[Rd1]

The problem exists in 2017 as well. I did not know if they actually had a fix??? I understand there is supposedly a new frame design/drawing. I am waiting for that. Will post picture, once the dealer has it..

[ewlee]

I have sent a request to Freightliner for information on the mod and asked if they were being proactive in replacing the old frames. We will see if they respond.

[tom chelbana]

If FL hasn't got this major problem fixed that says a lot about them. 3 years is a long time for Fl to fix the problem. Is FL still sending chassis out with problem?

[ewlee]

Just heard back from Freightliner on replacement of the welded fan/gearbox mount. Bottom line, the failure rate has not risen to the level of a recall or campaign to replace the mounts across the fleet. There is a Service Solution (SS 1033095) for post failure corrective action. That is convenient for Freightliner, not so much for owners stuck on the side of the road or in a hotel for weeks while they order parts. Freightliner suggest that as owners we have the mount inspected during our yearly maintenance and we inspect it ourselves in between times. Oh yes, if you hear something strange from the area of the radiator, we should have it looked at right away.

I recently talked with an owner that had the catastrophic failure. He had to have his coach towed, spent 3 weeks in a hotel while the parts were ordered, radiator replaced, fan and fan housing replaced, and the inconvenience of trip delay.

I am going to stay on their case until they become as proactive as I am or they get tired of hearing from me.

[jerry davis]

Just left Gaffney Freightliner Service where they inspected my radiator fan support and assured me it was fine and would cause me no problems. Meanwhile, just across from where we are parked is a pile of a couple dozen new support brackets....go figure. Note the beefed up corner pieces.

[tom chelbana]

When you look at the FL and Spartan chassis there is a big difference in the bracket that hold the fan drive. The Spartan just looking larger tubing and thicker metal. There is a lot of torque when fan goes into high speed something like 60 plus HP. This started in 15 and is still a big issue here in the end of 17. Some owners have gone and built there own brackets and other have had as many as 3 unit failures. Might be good to just beef it up for those who haven't had it break. May be the reason Spartan chassis orders are up.

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by tom chelbana

When you look at the FL and Spartan chassis there is a big difference in the bracket that hold the fan drive. The Spartan just looking larger tubing and thicker metal. There is a lot of torque when fan goes into high speed something like 60 plus HP. This started in 15 and is still a big issue here in the end of 17. Some owners have gone and built there own brackets and other have had as many as 3 unit failures. Might be good to just beef it up for those who haven't had it break. May be the reason Spartan chassis orders are up.

Fan bracket, rear tag alignment, wipers inop, odometers that don't read, fires from power steering line, recall that failed to catch all effected vehicles come to mind, some spanning multiple model years. And now this where you have a concerned owner with updated parts in piles not being offered the updated parts, better he should break down on the side of the road first.
So unacceptable! I'm surprised that Newmar isn't putting their foot down.

[ewlee]

Originally Posted by jerry davis

Just left Gaffney Freightliner Service where they inspected my radiator fan support and assured me it was fine and would cause me no problems. Meanwhile, just across from where we are parked is a pile of a couple dozen new support brackets....go figure. Note the beefed up corner pieces.

These frames are different from the Service Solution frames that I received drawings of that are for the ISX15 engines. I wonder if these are frames for the Dutch Star configuration. Did you get any information from Gaffney on the whole situation.

[jerry davis]

Originally Posted by ewlee

These frames are different from the Service Solution frames that I received drawings of that are for the ISX15 engines. I wonder if these are frames for the Dutch Star configuration. Did you get any information from Gaffney on the whole situation.

No info at all. The tech simply said mine looked fine and not to worry about it. He was the one that pointed out the pile of new brackets in the parking lot but they had no interest in replacing mine.

[Rd1]

Fan bracket, rear tag alignment, wipers inop, odometers that don't read, fires from power steering line,......

So unacceptable! I'm surprised that Newmar isn't putting their foot down.

With all due respect, why should newmar put their foot down? So long as 'WE' are willing to pay and buy this piece of junk from Daimler/Freightliner, why would newmar want to shoot themselves in the foot. they are making money. Isn't that what they are supposed to do?

Yes, there should be corporate responsibility. However, that responsibility starts with us. If no one is willing to take personal responsibility and write the CEO of daimler and fccc or even newmar, and raise these issues, these companies have no motivation to change. As long as we are willing to let ourselves to be treated as a consumable consumer, these issues would only get worst. Anyone with concerns, please feel free to write these people and let them know. If you have problems, then send a copy to your attorney general as well. It will have an impact, but nothing will change, if no one is willing to make any effort.

Mr. Roger Nielsen
President and Chief Executive Officer
Daimler Trucks North America
4545 Channel Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97217




Mr. Brian Burton, General Counsel
Daimler Trucks North America
4555 N. Channel Ave
Portland, OR 97217



Mr. David, Carson
Chief Executive Officer and President
Freightliner Custom Chassis
552 Hyatt Street
Gaffney, South Carolina 29341

[Stuart W]

Originally Posted by Rd1

With all due respect, why should newmar put their foot down? So long as 'WE' are willing to pay and buy this piece of junk from Daimler/Freightliner, why would newmar want to shoot themselves in the foot. they are making money. Isn't that what they are supposed to do?

Yes, there should be corporate responsibility. However, that responsibility starts with us. If no one is willing to take personal responsibility and write the CEO of daimler and fccc or even newmar, and raise these issues, these companies have no motivation to change. As long as we are willing to let ourselves to be treated as a consumable consumer, these issues would only get worst. Anyone with concerns, please feel free to write these people and let them know. If you have problems, then send a copy to your attorney general as well. It will have an impact, but nothing will change, if no one is willing to make any effort.

Mr. Roger Nielsen
President and Chief Executive Officer
Daimler Trucks North America
4545 Channel Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97217




Mr. Brian Burton, General Counsel
Daimler Trucks North America
4555 N. Channel Ave
Portland, OR 97217



Mr. David, Carson
Chief Executive Officer and President
Freightliner Custom Chassis
552 Hyatt Street
Gaffney, South Carolina 29341

You are absolutely correct, they are getting away with it because we are letting them. The real determination of what something is worth is set by what people will pay for it.