1983 Freightliner COE recalls

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.

SYSTEM: STRUCTURE/HANDHOLD. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: HIGH COE AND LONG CONVENTIAL TRACTORS EQUIPPED WITHVERTICAL BAR HANDHOLD.

THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR SPEED CONTROL RESISTORS CAN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS OVERHEAT AND STALL.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN LOW AIR FLOW ACROSS THE RESISTORNETWORK AND HIGH AMPERAGE, ALLOWING THE AIR DUCT TO REACH ELEVATED TEMPERATURESWITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE.

Remedy

INSTALL A THERMO CUTOFF DEVICE IN THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM AND/OR REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR SWITCH.

SYSTEM: HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER BLOWER MOTOR.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LONG CONVENTIONAL AND HIGH CAB OVER ENGINE TRUCKS.

THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET WELDS MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN STEERING LOAD CONDITIONS.

Consequence

STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED WITHPOTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF TRUCK CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET WITH A REDESIGNED BRACKET.

SYSTEM:STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:HEAVY DUTY TRUCKS.

CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE OIL FILTER MOUNTING BRACKETS NEAR THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE BRACKETS TO THE FRAME SIDE MEMBER. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF CRACKS PROGRESS TO THE POINT OF FAILURE, THE FILTER ASSEMBLY COULD FALL OUT AND POSSIBLY BE STRUCK BY OTHER VEHICLES CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

BRACKETS WILL BE REPLACED WITH IMPROVED DESIGN BRACKETS.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CAB OVER ENGINE TRUCKS USING CUSTOM INSTALLATION OF ALARGE BYPASS ENGINE OIL FILTER. SYSTEM: OIL FILTER MOUNTING BRACKETS.

CORROSION OF THE GRABHANDLE AT ITS MOUNTING SURFACE MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OR LOSS OF STRENGTH.

Consequence

FAILURE OF GRABHANDLE DURING USE COULD RESULT INPERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

REPLACE GRABHANDLE AND ITS FASTENER WITH IMPROVED GRABHANDLE; ALSO, INSTALL GASKET BETWEEN THE HANDLE AND AIR STARTER RESERVOIR.

SYSTEM:GRABHANDLE.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION:HIGH CAB OVER ENGINE TRUCK TRACTORS WITH GRABHANDLEATTACHED TO A VERTICAL AIR STARTER RESERVOIR.

THE TUBES PROVIDED AS HANDHOLDS MAY CRACK OR FRACTURE WHERE THE STEPS AND ATTACHING BRACKETS ARE JOINED.

Remedy

COMPLETE STEP AND HANDHOLD SYSTEMS WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRACTORS; CAB-OVER-ENGINE MODELS, CUSTOM BUILT.SYSTEM: BODY; SAFETY HANDHOLD.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: A BREAK IN A TUBE MAY CAUSE LOSS OF GRIP RESULTING IN AFALL AND PERSONAL INJURY.