1992 Freightliner FL-70: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 1992-04-14 (April 14, 1992)

A NUMBER OF CABS WERE ASSEMBLED WITH FEWER WELDS THAN SPECIFIED IN THE UPPER B PILLAR NEAR THE ANCHORAGE FOR THE SEAT BELT. WELDING MATERIALS USED ON THE INBOARD ANCHORAGE BRACKET UNDER THE CAB DECK WILL NOT MEET FMVSS NO. 210 LOAD TEST REQUIREMENTS WHEN THREE SEATING POSITIONS ARE PROVIDED.

Consequence: SAFETY BELT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS THAT DO NOT COMPLY TO THELOAD TEST REQUIREMENTS SUBJECT THE SEAT OCCUPANT TO GREATER RISK OF INJURY INTHE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy: ADD REINFORCEMENT WELDS IN THE UPPER B PILLAR AND ADD FASTENERS TO THE LOWER DECK ANCHORAGE BRACKET.

Reported: 1993-06-14 (June 14, 1993)

AS THE BRAKE PADS WEAR, THE BRAKE CALIPER TRAVEL MAY BE LIMITED BY INTERFERENCE WITH THE MAIN SUPPORT MEMBER (Z-BAR SPRING) OF THE SUSPENSION.

Consequence: LIMITED BRAKE CALIPER TRAVEL CAN PREVENT FULL BRAKETORQUE APPLICATION ON THE DRIVE AXLE, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy: BENDIX WILL SUPPLY REPLACEMENT BRAKE CALIPERS FOR AFFECTED VEHICLES.

Reported: 1993-09-14 (September 14, 1993)

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM SUPPORT CRACKS WHERE THE WIPER ARM PIVOT MOUNTS TO THE SUPPORT BRACKETS CAUSING FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER SYSTEM REDUCES DRIVERVISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REMOVE AND REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM SUPPORT BRACKET WITH A REDESIGNED SUPPORT BRACKET.

Reported: 1995-02-06 (February 6, 1995)

THE BRAKE CHAMBER MOUNTING STUDS CAN LOOSEN OR PULL THROUGH DUE TO FATIGUE IN THE BRAKE CHAMBER HOUSING CAUSED BY FOUNDATION BRAKE CHATTER.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE BRAKE LINING MATERIALS, REPLACE THE WING BRACKET WITH A REINFORCED BRACKET AND INSTALL BRAKE CHAMBERS WITH REINFORCED CHAMBER HOUSING AND LARGER (1/2") MOUNTING STUDS.

Reported: 1995-05-09 (May 9, 1995)

THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER MAY NOT TRAVEL FAR ENOUGH OVER CENTER TO ASSURE THAT IT REMAINS IN THE PROPER POSITION ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY WHILE PARKED.

Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT PROPERLY PARKED WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE CORRECT POSITION, AND IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A GRADE, IT COULD UNINTENTIONALLY ROLL AWAY INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE AND REPLACE THE PARKING BRAKE LEVER WITH A LEVER THAT REQUIRES A 25 LB. EFFORT TO RELEASE.

Reported: 1997-08-04 (August 4, 1997)

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HEAVY DUTY TRUCK. THE SHOULDER BOLT WHICH HOLDS THE GROTE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH CASE AND COMPONENTS TOGETHER CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN THE TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONING.

Consequence: IF THE TURN SIGNAL FUNCTION IS LOST, FOLLOWING MOTORISTS WOULD NOT BE AWARE OF THE TURNING VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND TIGHTEN ANY LOOSE BOLTS AND IN THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH WITHIN 2 YEARS FROM THE DATE OF THE RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER. THE SHOULDER BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, CLEANED, AND REINSTALLED WITH LOCTITE. OWNERS CAN ALSO REQUEST LOCTITE AND REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS SO THEY CAN FIX THE VEHICLES THEMSELVES.