Freightliner Issues

Mar 19, 2016 at 06:44 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I have a 2012 Freightliner Cascadia that is going to put me out of business. It's nonstop breaking down and spending time at the dealer. It's been in the shop atleast 9 weeks out of the past year. DEF issues, EGR issues, and now Ultrashift trans issues. A/C don't work & ABS light is on WTF. How the hell can Freightliner sell trucks that you can't keep on the road ?

Replied on Sat, Mar 19, 2016 at 08:33 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I can't help you but i do own two freightliner columbias. These two trucks are the biggest pieces of junk I have ever seen freightliner build. the cabs on these trucks are terrible. MY next truck I will build a glider and spend extra money for a premium cab. Maybe kw pete, westernstar, international, or mack. I have never tried a mack or know much about them, have driven everything else though, even drove a marmon years ago and they were a premium truck. unless you need a pollution control truck I would trade for a glider or a good pre 2003 or older truck.

Replied on Sat, Mar 19, 2016 at 08:33 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I can't help you but i do own two freightliner columbias. These two trucks are the biggest pieces of junk I have ever seen freightliner build. the cabs on these trucks are terrible. MY next truck I will build a glider and spend extra money for a premium cab. Maybe kw pete, westernstar, international, or mack. I have never tried a mack or know much about them, have driven everything else though, even drove a marmon years ago and they were a premium truck. unless you need a pollution control truck I would trade for a glider or a good pre 2003 or older truck.

Replied on Sat, Mar 19, 2016 at 09:55 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. The EPA is the biggest problem we face right now. It's obviously run by a bunch of hippies that did too much acid at woodstock, because they expect the exhaust coming out of a motor to be cleaner than the air going in it, witch pretty much proves that these folks are insane, and should be relieved of command. It's time for the rest of the engine makers to grow a set of balls, and stop building motors, just like caterpillar did. I have no doubt the head of the EPA jumps around like TARZAN, HAS LONG HAIR THAT LOOKS LIKE JANE'S, AND PROBABLY SMELL'S LIKE CHEETAH, since he probably don't take a bath, because he is worried about saving water, and protecting the enviornment.

Replied on Sat, Mar 19, 2016 at 09:55 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

The EPA is the biggest problem we face right now. It's obviously run by a bunch of hippies that did too much acid at woodstock, because they expect the exhaust coming out of a motor to be cleaner than the air going in it, witch pretty much proves that these folks are insane, and should be relieved of command. It's time for the rest of the engine makers to grow a set of balls, and stop building motors, just like caterpillar did. I have no doubt the head of the EPA jumps around like TARZAN, HAS LONG HAIR THAT LOOKS LIKE JANE'S, AND PROBABLY SMELL'S LIKE CHEETAH, since he probably don't take a bath, because he is worried about saving water, and protecting the enviornment.

Replied on Sun, Mar 20, 2016 at 01:20 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. You get what you pay for, lol- I drove those Junkers for years, I now have the oldest truck Iv ever drove- 92 Kw, although the older truck rides rough it is hands down built tough and right, buy a paccar glider

Replied on Sun, Mar 20, 2016 at 04:17 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Richard, it sucks and the freightshaker dealers have absolutely the worst mechanics and attitudes. I will always drive them but since 8m not over the road anymore I choose to drive the century class simply because they have no options. My egr quit working in the parking lot where I bought it. Always had a/c issues because the system is junk it's all under warranty and about every 6 months it mysteriously breaks. Smartshift is flawless as I hooked up a external slylinoid ground, I also always manually shift it. , all mechanics tell me to do this

Replied on Sun, Mar 20, 2016 at 04:17 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Richard, it sucks and the freightshaker dealers have absolutely the worst mechanics and attitudes. I will always drive them but since 8m not over the road anymore I choose to drive the century class simply because they have no options. My egr quit working in the parking lot where I bought it. Always had a/c issues because the system is junk it's all under warranty and about every 6 months it mysteriously breaks. Smartshift is flawless as I hooked up a external slylinoid ground, I also always manually shift it. , all mechanics tell me to do this

Replied on Sun, Mar 20, 2016 at 07:06 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. A friend of mine has a 2012 freightline with the detroit 600.he bought it used and has the extended warranty... Thank God.. .he has spent more time in the shop that driving.. Has had ALL of the sensors replaced two - three times.. Had it over hauled.. There they found a bent crank.. And still after all of this.. Still has problems... Hes had to pay for some.. And some was covered.. But who cares if you cant make money...

Replied on Sun, Mar 20, 2016 at 07:06 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

A friend of mine has a 2012 freightline with the detroit 600.he bought it used and has the extended warranty... Thank God.. .he has spent more time in the shop that driving.. Has had ALL of the sensors replaced two - three times.. Had it over hauled.. There they found a bent crank.. And still after all of this.. Still has problems... Hes had to pay for some.. And some was covered.. But who cares if you cant make money...

Replied on Mon, Mar 21, 2016 at 03:02 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I traded my 2000 Pete in on a 2011 T800 KW. It did break me. In the shop every 2 to 4 weeks like clock work. I kick myself in the ass. My advise is trade it off as soon as you can.

Replied on Tue, Mar 22, 2016 at 01:26 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Mexico trucks junk

Replied on Tue, Mar 22, 2016 at 01:41 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Like Troy, I have a 94KW. Not the smoothest or most fuel efficient, but the most dependable. Won't need ELD either. Seeems like a win win!

Replied on Sun, Mar 27, 2016 at 12:00 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I have an issue with steer tire wear on a 07 columbia. Drives wear great right steer cupped and wore duwn on inside left side steer perfect. Have tride different makes of tires no difference. All shocks and bushings 40000 miles ago. front end checked out good. Is it just a freightliner thing or what?

Replied on Sun, Mar 27, 2016 at 05:02 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "I have an issue with steer tire wear on a 07 columbia. Drives wear great right steer cupped and wore duwn on inside left side steer perfect. Have tride different makes of tires no difference. All shocks and bushings 40000 miles ago. front end checked out good. Is it just a freightliner thing or what?" You got your front end aligned but what about the drivers.. They can and do get out of alignment causing all sorts of problems..also even on a new truck.. The factory alignment can be off.. Also make sure your 5th wheel has plenty of lubricant on it.. If not your trailer wont pull straight all the time.. Also check your king pins.. I had a kenworth t 600...wore front tires like crazy and vibrate between 50-60. Kenworth looked at you like you were nuts.. Was at the truck show.. Complaining about it.. Another guy came up told me king pins were bad.. Factory rep at show wasnt a happy camper after we got finished... Good luck...

Replied on Sun, Mar 27, 2016 at 05:02 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "I have an issue with steer tire wear on a 07 columbia. Drives wear great right steer cupped and wore duwn on inside left side steer perfect. Have tride different makes of tires no difference. All shocks and bushings 40000 miles ago. front end checked out good. Is it just a freightliner thing or what?"

You got your front end aligned but what about the drivers.. They can and do get out of alignment causing all sorts of problems..also even on a new truck.. The factory alignment can be off.. Also make sure your 5th wheel has plenty of lubricant on it.. If not your trailer wont pull straight all the time.. Also check your king pins.. I had a kenworth t 600...wore front tires like crazy and vibrate between 50-60. Kenworth looked at you like you were nuts.. Was at the truck show.. Complaining about it.. Another guy came up told me king pins were bad.. Factory rep at show wasnt a happy camper after we got finished... Good luck...

Replied on Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 06:32 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "I have an issue with steer tire wear on a 07 columbia. Drives wear great right steer cupped and wore duwn on inside left side steer perfect. Have tride different makes of tires no difference. All shocks and bushings 40000 miles ago. front end checked out good. Is it just a freightliner thing or what?" Do you have set of Centramatic balancers on the steers yet? We started running them on all of our trucks on the steers and they have paid for themselves many times over. Almost all of the steer tires wear down nice and even now. Cant say that was the case before. And when you sell the truck, you can keep them for the next one.

Replied on Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 06:32 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Do you have set of Centramatic balancers on the steers yet? We started running them on all of our trucks on the steers and they have paid for themselves many times over. Almost all of the steer tires wear down nice and even now. Cant say that was the case before. And when you sell the truck, you can keep them for the next one.

Replied on Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 07:08 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Bruce, I found out you need to rotate steers every 20k. ,and keep fifth wheel extremly greased on a freightliner. Pulling a hopper with a freightshaker your only going to get 100k out of steers regardless what you do, and yes it is a freightshaker thing

Replied on Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 11:01 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. did that rotation and all i did was wear out two tires. i keep the 5th wheel well lubed. thinking about alighning to over corect for the wear need to talk to shop about this any ideas?

Replied on Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 12:03 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Bruce, each reared has a torsion bar with grommets at each end, if those wear out a alignment will not catch it, I learned that lesson. They are cheap and you can do it yourself P.s. some call it a wishbone

Replied on Mon, Mar 28, 2016 at 02:29 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Since you said you rotate tires and it doesnt help, and you have checked alignment, maybe a bad hub(if its grease packed) or worst case, bent spindle?