1985 Freightliner CONVENTIONAL: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 1986-08-05 (August 5, 1986)

STEERING COLUMN MOUNTING BOLTS MAY BE ABSENT, LEAVING ONLY THE KNEE PAD TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN IN PLACE. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, KNEE PAD ATTACHING BOLTS MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT, ALLOWING THE STEERING COLUMN AND WHEEL TO COME LOOSE WHILE THE TRUCK IS BEING DRIVEN. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: INSTALL CLAMPS AND BOLTS, IF MISSING, OR CHECK EXISTING BOLTS FOR TIGHTNESS.

Reported: 1986-08-26 (August 26, 1986)

THE HANDHOLD MOUNTING SYSTEM, WHICH CONSISTS OF A TUBULAR HANDLE HELD IN THREE PLACES BY CAST ALUMINUM BRACKETS AND ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE EXHAUST MUFFLER HEAT SHIELD. VIBRATION FROM THIS SYSTEM CAUSES THE HANDHOLD PARTS TO WEAR. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF THE PARTS WEAR THIN THE POSSIBILITY EXISTS THAT THE HANDHOLD MIGHT GIVE WAY UNDER THE WEIGHT OF A DRIVER. THIS COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: REPLACE THE END BRACKETS WITH A MODIFIED DESIGN UTILIZING A RUBBER ISOLATER. ALSO, ADD A PLASTIC SLEEVE TO THE CENTER BRACKET FOR ISOLATION.

Reported: 1986-10-20 (October 20, 1986)

SEAT BELTS CAN LOOSEN AS THE TRUCK IS DRIVEN. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: DRIVER AND PASSENGER WOULD NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR CRASH.

Remedy: REPLACE THE NON LOCKING RETRACTOR SEAT BELTS WITH AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR SEAT BELTS.

Reported: 1987-02-19 (February 19, 1987)

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN DEVELOP.

Consequence: SHORT CIRCUIT COULD RESULT IN TRUCKS CATCHING FIRE.

Remedy: REPLACE EXISTING PICTURE FRAME TYPE BATTERY RETAINER WITH AN I FRAME RETAINER AND INSTALL CONVOLUTED TUBING OVER POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE.

Reported: 1987-09-15 (September 15, 1987)

INCORRECT SIZE AIR BRAKE ACTUATOR CHAMBERS WERE INSTALLED ON THE DRIVE AXLES.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE.

Remedy: REPLACE DRIVE AXLE BRAKE CHAMBERS WITH CORRECT SIZE CHAMBERS.

Reported: 1987-12-18 (December 18, 1987)

FASTENER THAT CONNECTS THE HARNESS BELT D RING TO THE B PILLAR MAY NOT BE LONG ENOUGH TO PROVIDE FULL THREAD ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ANCHORAGE WELD NUT.

Consequence: SEAT BELTS COULD FAIL AND NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECT THEOCCUPANT.

Remedy: REPLACE MOUNTING HARDWARE WITH HEX SHOULDER BOLT AND .55 INCH SPACER.

Reported: 1988-10-11 (October 11, 1988)

STEERING ARM MAY FAIL IF USED ON EATON EFA12F4 FROM AXLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH ROSS HFB70 POWER STEERING GEAR.

Consequence: A FAILED STEERING GEAR ARM COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: INSTALL A NONADJUSTABLE 1500 PSI POWER STEERING PUMP PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE TO LIMIT STEERING ARM FORCES. REPLACE STEERING ARM WITH A DESIGN CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING HIGHER FORCES. ADJUST MAXIMUM POPPET VALVE SETTINGS TO 500 PSI AND ADJUST AXLE STOPS.