Freightliner fan went thru the radiator!

Discussion in 'Car Hauler and Auto Carrier Trucking Forum' started by rolls canardly, Apr 2, 2017.

  1. rolls canardly

    rolls canardly Road Train Member

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    Rolls Canardly here,
    Got to feeling strange vibration driving in the truck; pulled over to check the Drive shafts,
    and universals, and carrier bearing. Everything looked good.
    I had a strange feeling that maybe a rag or piece of cloth or something got picked up on driveshaft.
    Started truck after checking, and still had a vibration without going down the road? WTF?
    Just about to switch off key - and Kaboom, I Hear terrible smashing sound and steam from under hood.
    So the fan must have thrown a plastic blade, and was so out of balance that the cast iron mount
    for the pulley and fan clutch broke off. Got that fixed and a new belt on it now.
    Got a new radiator coming from Hartford, Conneticut tomorrow.
    So I'm a couch potato until then.
    Found this $690.00 radiator that was a new takeoff for $200.00 - and a mechanic buddy of mine
    happened to be going to Mass. COPART to pick up a car, so is going right near there, and will bring it home.
    The Old guy used to say, "Cheer up; it'll get worse."
     
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  3. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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    Fan hubs are fairly stout. I don't think loosing a blade did that. Most likely a bearing failure.
     
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  4. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    I had a wobbly fan once a couple years ago...found it because it was shaking the water pump loose and I was losing coolant. Hub bearings were shot, so I pulled the fan off (hub and all), snugged up the water pump bolts again, topped off the coolant, and headed to Mack for a new hub. The air hubs were stupid expensive, so I swapped it out for a viscous one that was much cheaper. Pinched off the air line, and it's been running just fine ever since.

    Last thing I wanted to have happen is what happened to you. I'd JUST put a new radiator in the truck...
     
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  5. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    How many miles on engine?
     
  6. AModelCat

    AModelCat Road Train Member

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    Like mentioned above. Probably worn out fan hub bearings. When I worked in the truck shops I always made a habit of checking the fan hubs. Trouble is most trucks lock the clutch up once the truck is turned off, which takes up the bearing play in most cases.
     
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  7. RollingRecaps

    RollingRecaps Light Load Member

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    If the clutch is locked then what is the proper way to check it?
     
  8. rolls canardly

    rolls canardly Road Train Member

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    The bearings were not bad or loose; thats what I also thought happened. First thing I checked.
    The casting from Horton (#992000) has two bosses on top, with bolt holes clearance drilled thru,
    and small single web on bottom - so they are cast together. Its a cast iron casting.
    They put in lathe, bolted to a faceplate, and turn the center hub shaft that mounts the double bearings.
    I have an internal bearing puller that is like a body shop slide hammer, and took both out to check them.
    New hub is over $600.00 - got one in engine export company near me for $100.00.
    Unit had penciled in crayon 96,000 miles - but that could be creative writing.
    Bearings were tighter than mine, so it is possible. Just need the radiator now.
    pix is the fan projectile that was turning at 1000 RPM when it went into radiator.

    Makes me want to cut out a piece of expanded metal screen - I have some thats 1/4" thick - and make a bulletproof radiator guard between new fan and new radiator.

    There - break that.
     

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  9. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    You're probably gonna need to replace that.
     
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  10. rolls canardly

    rolls canardly Road Train Member

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    Not a JB weld job?
     
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  11. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Master JB WELDERS might pull it off.
     
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