Freightliner stepping away from cracked frame rail.

Here is the reg on frames. You want to be sure any repairs comply.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=393.201
Subpart J - Frames, cab and body components, wheels, steering, and suspension systems

§ 393.201Frames.(a) The frame or chassis of each commercial motor vehicle shall not be cracked, loose, sagging or broken.(b) Bolts or brackets securing the cab or the body of the vehicle to the frame must not be loose, broken, or missing.(c) The frame rail flanges between the axles shall not be bent, cut or notched, except as specified by the manufacturer.(d) Parts and accessories shall not be welded to the frame or chassis of a commercial motor vehicle except in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Any welded repair of the frame must also be in accordance with the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.(e) No holes shall be drilled in the top or bottom rail flanges, except as specified by the manufacturer.[53 FR 49402, Dec. 7, 1988, as amended at 70 FR 48055, Aug. 15, 2005]

This leaves the question, what are the manufacturer's recommendations for repairing this?

 

Frame rails are replaced all the time. Although it is not cheap, it is not as expensive as what you are thinking.

 

How about a ball park figure if you got one?

 

Certainly not as expensive as buying a glider. Of course that's part of the trade-off... cost of repair vs replacement. It's also part of the calculus about what to do when inframe time rolls around.

MN... this sucks, but Freightliner does have to draw that line somewhere.

 

well it's back on the road.

Unless you know what you're looking at, it looks like it's supposed to be there.

 

So how bad was the damage? what they do just weld it and grind it back down?

 

He did a minor weld, then we bolted a "glove" in place that's 32" long, cut to fit and with 14 bolts in in.

 

So these bolts - through the bottom flange?

 

yeah.....in a straight line too.....


You don't bolt or weld on a flange at all.


The plate is on the side just like a cab or suspension mount. It's actually behind the front left cab mount.

You never put all the bolts in a straight line, in the flange or too close to the edge.

It's held in place with fourteen 5/8" gr 8 bolts.

 

Was trying to picture it - when you said 'glove', all I could think of was a u-shaped channel slid over the flange.