R&R Radiator Fan Shroud, DIY or not?

[Bruce Sieloff]

Sitting in the parking lot of the Freightliner dealer getting some AC work done I noticed the fan shroud on our 2003 C-12 is cracked at the fan bracket mounting points. With the fan engaged and at idle there was a very loud rattle and investigation revealed the fan brackets were pulling away from the very thin metal of the fan shroud. I was repairing the apparent defect with a gusset plate when I noticed the top bracket on the same side had completely pulled away from the shroud, taking a piece of the shroud with it. Looking at the installation I could not see if the top of the shroud was bolted in place or whether is tucked under a flange in the radiator support structure. The shroud needs to be removed and gussets welded in all four corners before reinstallation; it doesn't look like a do it in place job, access is very difficult. The Shop foreman is giving me a 16 hour estimate for labor if the radiator has to be removed to access the top of the shroud; about half that if it just drops out (the fan has to be removed either way). Joys of fulltiming, I'm not going anywhere much until it is done. Question is, is the shroud bolted in at the top and has anyone had any experience with the R&R of the shroud and is it a job you would attempt yourself or not? 

[Rod Ogle]

Bruce.

  It seems there can be significant differences between models and years, so your setup may be different.

 On our 2004 Patriot Thunder with the 505 CAT, I removed the radiator shroud from the engine side.  No need to remove the radiator.  Both the fan bracket and shroud were broken on mine.   The fan and hydraulic motor have to be removed first.  It is tight quarters but I did it by myself without incident.  Several bolts along the top hold the shroud to the radiator frame.  Several bolts along the bottom and side too.  I had to remove the bedroom access hatch in order to reach the top shroud bolts.  Getting the shroud out from under the coach was tricky due to limited clearance.  I did have to use my floor jack to help lift the repaired shroud into place, not that it weighs that much but just awkward lifting it in tight places.  Total time to remove was 3 hours +/-, re- install time was a bit less.

Hope this helps!  Good Luck.

Rod

PS.  To clarify...the hydraulic motor does not to be totally removed, just unbolted from the bracket and fan blades, then suspended securely out of the way being careful not to stress the lines too much.  I used motorcycle tie downs and they worked great.  I read it is possible to install the fan blades backwards, I carefully marked the blades to insure they went back ECACTLY the same way.  One more note, the bolts that secure the fan blades  on my rig have hex heads.  They are very hard to see and recessed. Have a set of standard allen wrenches handy.

[Bruce Sieloff]

Rod, I just made an appointment to have the shroud repaired tomorrow morning. The shroud was depth modified to fit the new radiator so it is a unique part and it is top bolted. My skills do not involve R&R radiators in parking lots. I will reinforce the shroud so it will be stronger than new. It will push the fan away from the radiator by the depth of the gusset, about an eighth of an inch, but I don't anticipate any cooling issues. Now is the time I wish I had my house back, a driveway would be a godsend.