Freightliner stepping away from cracked frame rail.

Highly doubt it unless it was the cause of the accident.

What would be a non approved repair, one not done by the manufacturer? If that's the case then I'd be willing to bet every truck on the road is illegal! Besides even if the truck was in an accident and they found the weld, if it was broke, they can tell if it has been broke or just broke.

 

Per the regulation, a non approved repair TO THE FRAME is one that does not adhere to the manufacturer's recommendation. I highly doubt that every truck on the road has had a frame repair.

 

Precisely.

The manufacturer is doing a little CYA... rail replacement brings the part into compliance with original specifications, and limits their possible liability in any accident. Nothing more.

Just don't have an "accident."

 

The issue, again, is not what's done every day in practice. The issue is compliance, and the liability that goes along with non compliance.

What will Freightliner put in writing? Will they sign off on your repair as it has been done?

If not, then you're not in compliance, and liability now falls squarely on your shoulders.

edit: You would be in a slightly better position if a Freightliner dealer performed the repair as it has been done, but I'd be willing to be that if there ever was an issue, Freightliner would distance themselves from that dealer and claim that the dealer acted on its own in making the unapproved repair.

 

A manufacturer, and a mechanic representing a "dealer" are separate legal entities. The weight of the opinion of the engineering staff of the manufacturer regarding the original specifications of a frame rail vs a repair, and the opinion of a dealers mechanic is something that a jury would have to consider. The opinion of a mechanic and the industry practice of doing repairs or modifications in this manner as an everyday occurance would certainly not void the recommendations of a manufacturer concerning such repairs.

Honestly, its not a big deal MNdriver...

 

I'm not an attorney, so I won't argue points of law with you. We shall simply have to agree to disagree.

 

Maybe it is to them!