Freightliner Columbia door issues

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by subpartrucker, Dec 11, 2010.

  1. subpartrucker

    subpartrucker Light Load Member

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    Nov 21, 2010
    Upstate/Central NY
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    My company runs 2004 Freightliner Columbia trucks.There are some issues with doors & windows and I was wondering if anybody else has experienced any problems like this.

    The truck I drive daily,the passenger door opened on it's own (it was locked) going down the road.I couldn't get it to shut so I used a bungee cord to hold it shut until it got fixed.Once fixed a couple weeks later it happened again.Currently it is being held shut with 3 bungee cords while parts are "on order" which has been about 2 months now.The driver side can't be unlocked from the outside,so if I lock it I have to leave the vent window open so I can reach my arm through to open from the inside and the passenger window only rolls down half way and is a pain to roll back up.

    We have another truck that the windows don't roll down at all and are stuck just about all the way up,(there a is about a inch and half open at all times),the passenger door doesn't open from in or outside and when going through a toll booth I have to slam the door shut 2 or 3 times to get it to shut.When it rains both doors leak as well as the cab and the windshield leaks on the passenger side.

    and there is another we have the doors don't open from the outside,but open fine from the inside.The driver side you have to reach through the vent window and push on the door while opening from the inside.and the windows go up about half way before they fall off the track.

    The CB coax in the mirrors of all 3 trucks are shot,but no surprise there.

    just wondering if this common with this model of truck.
     
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  3. canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

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    sounds like maybe getting a mechanic would be the answer--key word here is maintenance
     
    rocknroll nik Thanks this.
  4. Bent Wrench

    Bent Wrench Medium Load Member

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    Aug 11, 2009
    Cornholio, OR
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    There is the problem right there.

    Keep slamming it harder, it will fall apart even faster.

    A lot of times slamming the door is what starts the problem.

    Door latches have 2 catches, (the first is a safety for when the main catch misses or fails) if you slam the door it shoves the striker in to where it will only catch on the first click. This forces you to slam it harder the next time to get the second click. Or you run it for miles and miles on the first click and it beats the crap out of the lock and striker. After a few months of slamming the door it will begin to stress crack and internal components will start to fail, locks, window regulators, the area around the latch will spiderweb with cracks, the striker will get eaten up, mirrors, CB hardware will crumble, etc.

    When the first click fails (usually after running for many miles with the door jiggling on the first click) the door will fall open. A door that is latched to the second click will almost never (ever) open on it's own. On the second click the latch jaws completely wrap around the striker and the latch won't open even in a crash.
     
    Kimono_skunk and rjones56 Thank this.
  5. subpartrucker

    subpartrucker Light Load Member

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    Nov 21, 2010
    Upstate/Central NY
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    I write these up all of the time and get "we'll get that taken care of" as an answer,it seems that unless it's completely broken it doesn't get fixed.I was just wondering if it was a common problem with these trucks.

    and I try to shut the door with out slamming,but that doesn't seem to work.
     
  6. canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

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    once the striker and latch wear out--you dont have much choice but to slam the door--i used to replace quite a few of them(old trucks)--another little trick is too open window a crack when you close door--that lets them shut a bit easier as well
    just tell them the door is opening up while you drive and it isnt safe--might work
    and yes--frieghtliner doors are a bit whimpy when compared to others
     
  7. Krooser

    Krooser Road Train Member

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    Not at all uncommon on Freightliner trucks... every FLD or century I've ever driven has had the same issues... either you can't latch 'em or they come open...
     
    little cat 500 Thanks this.
  8. Smalltruck

    Smalltruck Light Load Member

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    Jul 3, 2010
    Elko, MN
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    Change out the window holder and rivets on the bottom of the glass. Its like a 30 dollar part. for 200 bucks you can replace most of the parts inside the door of one of those. Its like 3 hours work. Or don't do it because drivers are cheap and easy to replace. Me, I'd be gone.
     
  9. subpartrucker

    subpartrucker Light Load Member

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    Nov 21, 2010
    Upstate/Central NY
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    it's a company truck,not my own...the only thing I buy,but get reimbursed for would be oil/coolant or anything small like that.I have written up the problems and "we'll get that taken care of" is the response I get...when??? don't know,just keep going until it can't be nickel & dimed anymore
     
  10. Maxidyne

    Maxidyne Bobtail Member

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    Feb 20, 2010
    Portersville PA
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    Things like WD40 or just a plain ole oil can work wonders too!
     
  11. canuck in da truck

    canuck in da truck Road Train Member

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    you could try and set your striker a bit deeper--might work for awhile
     
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