RAM CARES and DRAG LINK RECALL !

[Green_Manalishi]

The 2017 I just purchased still has the welded drag link. With all the back and forth going on between ram cares and reps and dealers, can't I just go to my local dealer and have them complete the recall or do I need to go through ram cares first?

 

[18CrewDually]

The 2017 I just purchased still has the welded drag link. With all the back and forth going on between ram cares and reps and dealers, can't I just go to my local dealer and have them complete the recall or do I need to go through ram cares first?

Since it is welded then the recall has been performed. No further actions are needed unless there's an issue pertaining to the recall.

 

[Green_Manalishi]

Since it is welded then the recall has been performed. No further actions are needed unless there's an issue pertaining to the recall.

Thank you. I assumed the weld was a temporary fix until a replacement part was available.

 

[Brian2081]

JeJb, not trying to worry you but, loctite has no bearing on the draglink issue. Loctite will do absolutely nothing.
More than likely the turn buckle between the 2 jam nuts is good. What the issue is, is some turn buckles had the incorrect threads cut into them which will allow the drag link to pull out of the turn buckle over time due to incorrect thread engagement.
Now why somebody says it can only be tack welded once doesn't make sense to me. It should be able to be tack welded again until you can replace it.

 

[GsRAM]

Thank you. I assumed the weld was a temporary fix until a replacement part was available.

Welded already or not that is not a proper repair. I suggest you Seek assistance from @RamCares and they may be able to facilitate a replacement link for you. They helped me get mine replaced. Good luck

 

[jejb]

JeJb, not trying to worry you but, loctite has no bearing on the draglink issue. Loctite will do absolutely nothing.
More than likely the turn buckle between the 2 jam nuts is good. What the issue is, is some turn buckles had the incorrect threads cut into them which will allow the drag link to pull out of the turn buckle over time due to incorrect thread engagement.
Now why somebody says it can only be tack welded once doesn't make sense to me. It should be able to be tack welded again until you can replace it.

Thanks. I did not look at that as long term solution, as I was already working to get the real fix through Ram. But since Ram says it can only be welded once, there was not much other choice than loctite. My truck now has the updated drag link.

Still blows me away that Ram's "fix" was to weld an adjustment nut in place.

 

[plante2017]

Brought my 2017 Ram 2500 for the recall and the dealer spot welded the drag link. They DID NOT bother to straighten the steering wheel. Now I have new tires and want an alignment. No shops will touch the truck to complete the with the welds. Had to take it to a dealer / told them I want the steering wheel straightened. They said they will fo what they can. I told them don’t bother with the alignment if the steering wheel can’t be straightened- they seemed reluctant to grind their own welds. I reminded them Ram owns and will pay for new welds. We’ll see how it goes - at the dealer now.

 

[762-MM]

Yep - Discount Tire and NTB around here are on to this game. They basically see a late mode RAM 2500 and say sorry, we won't touch it (from an alignment perspective) if it has been welded. If you have an alignment package, you are SOL. They could still align the vehicle, but don't want to deal with off-center steering wheels.

I started working with RAMCARES social media (Kaitlin & Rob) since March. I have now spoken with Pat, Christa, Dabin, Shevalla, Dynasty, Devan, Ebony, Sonya, Michael, and Wendy at FCA. Some of them numerous times. Several agents let the phone answer but do not speak...I can here them in the background accepting the call but not doing a thing. Then they hang up and you go into the 1-question survey. One agent requested I make an appointment at my dealer (my service advisor and dealer have been decent), and said they would approve the repair while I'm there. I did that, waited from before 7:00am until noon, but no approval. No one has a direct dial phone number, email address, or last name. The game is rigged.

My Service Advisor says he just needs the "DM note"s or an email from FCA giving him authorization/payment approval to move forward. The last agent read the approval to me, which was something to the effect of 'One time goodwill approval for Drag Link replacement and vehicle alignment." But my Service Advisor says he can't see the approval.

It's a mess, but now I'm not giving up out of principal alone. I'm on my 6th new Mopar vehicle and this is just out of hand. I do think American quality matches imports. All manufactures have issues. It's the dealership & support equation that still lags.

The hunt continues...

 

[plante2017]

According to service bulletin that the dealer was to straighten the steering wheel if it were off center.

NOTE: DO NOT LOOSEN JAM NUTS if steering wheel is centered and toe adjustment is not required.

1. Adjust the toe if required and center the steering wheel.

1. After adjustment, using a backer wrench and a 41 mm crowsfoot, such as Special Tool 2069400190 (Snap-on SCOM41) or equivalent, tighten the drag link turnbuckle jam nuts to 148 N·m (109 ft. lbs.). Make sure the toe setting does not change during tightening (Figure 2).

1. Road test to verify the steering wheel is straight prior to welding.

1. Disconnect the battery negative cable(s).

When they welded mine they DID NOT center the steering wheel. Secondly how the heck is the toe to be adjusted in an alignment with the drag link welded - obviously the weld would have to be removed.

It would be fun to get RAM guarantee that with a misaligned steering wheel the air bag will work. Think they would sign such an assurance? It would be fun to see what they would have to say. Just thinking like a blood sucking attorney.

 

[GsRAM]

Brought my 2017 Ram 2500 for the recall and the dealer spot welded the drag link. They DID NOT bother to straighten the steering wheel. Now I have new tires and want an alignment. No shops will touch the truck to complete the with the welds. Had to take it to a dealer / told them I want the steering wheel straightened. They said they will fo what they can. I told them don’t bother with the alignment if the steering wheel can’t be straightened- they seemed reluctant to grind their own welds. I reminded them Ram owns and will pay for new welds. We’ll see how it goes - at the dealer now.

Contact Katilin @RamCares and she should be able to facilitate getting a replacement drag link sent to your local dealer to replace the welded one.

 

[GsRAM]

Yep - Discount Tire and NTB around here are on to this game. They basically see a late mode RAM 2500 and say sorry, we won't touch it (from an alignment perspective) if it has been welded. If you have an alignment package, you are SOL. They could still align the vehicle, but don't want to deal with off-center steering wheels.

I started working with RAMCARES social media (Kaitlin & Rob) since March. I have now spoken with Pat, Christa, Dabin, Shevalla, Dynasty, Devan, Ebony, Sonya, Michael, and Wendy at FCA. Some of them numerous times. Several agents let the phone answer but do not speak...I can here them in the background accepting the call but not doing a thing. Then they hang up and you go into the 1-question survey. One agent requested I make an appointment at my dealer (my service advisor and dealer have been decent), and said they would approve the repair while I'm there. I did that, waited from before 7:00am until noon, but no approval. No one has a direct dial phone number, email address, or last name. The game is rigged.

My Service Advisor says he just needs the "DM note"s or an email from FCA giving him authorization/payment approval to move forward. The last agent read the approval to me, which was something to the effect of 'One time goodwill approval for Drag Link replacement and vehicle alignment." But my Service Advisor says he can't see the approval.

It's a mess, but now I'm not giving up out of principal alone. I'm on my 6th new Mopar vehicle and this is just out of hand. I do think American quality matches imports. All manufactures have issues. It's the dealership & support equation that still lags.

The hunt continues...

This is crazy if accurate. I had to fight to get my link replaced, but I did in the end.
Katilin @RamCares got it done for me. Katilin can you assist in these cases to help these folks out and make their trucks right?

 

[SeppW]

Secondly how the heck is the toe to be adjusted in an alignment with the drag link welded - obviously the weld would have to be removed.

Toe is adjusted with tie rod, however, any alignment adjustments will cause steering wheel to go off center and the drag link is used to adjust steering wheel alignment. Naturally if welded, that is not going to happen.

 

[bartbill]

SeppW,

Never heard it explained that way. Makes sense.

Now I've got an alignment problem with a welded drag link.

What's the odds Ram will work with me on this?

 

[18CrewDually]

Why are you guys having to do alignments so often. Unless you bent something or it is wore out there isn't a reason for it to need one. And in the case of the draglink ends are bad, just replace it. I get it if the dealer didn't set the wheel straight after the recall was performed but they should make it right.

 

[bartbill]

So often?

Bought new in 2015. No issue 'till this year

 

[crazy jerry]

Why are you guys having to do alignments so often. Unless you bent something or it is wore out there isn't a reason for it to need one. And in the case of the draglink ends are bad, just replace it. I get it if the dealer didn't set the wheel straight after the recall was performed but they should make it right.

probly running into curbs and not rotating tires but every 10k is my guess

 

[Eric99223]

Ok, I wasn't going to say a word as my 2010 is not affected, but as a former master tech (ASE) of 25 years, this is kind of a no Brainer. If the part that is failing is causing an inconvenience (like chevys seat recliner handle breaking off on the s-series) then inspect and measure it and if it passes spec.. then send it! If the part failing has a decent chance of causing major injury or death, then step up and replace it! Especially if we are talking .5/hr to replace and 1.0 to align it. Especially when the part retails for less than 150, which means that fca pay Like 50.00 each (probably less) if this method saves 1 accident injury or death it is money well spent.

And for the owners of the affected trucks, welding an adjustable part to make it solid (which is what they are doing by welding the jam nuts) is not acceptable! As a fix and if I had one of these affected trucks I would buy the updated part and replace it keeping the old parts and all receipts for submission for reimbursement. But my families lives are worth way more than 300.00 to me!

And to ram cares....... WAKE THE HELL UP!

 

[bartbill]

As I understand it, the welded draglink nut is not a safety issue. Did you miss in the other 35 posts. "No brainer" is a bit snarky.

Say I did curb the hell out of my 2015 Ram. Now I'm grinding off the outside of the tire. Not sure which way to go.

There is much discussion on this thread about Ram's uneven handling of this issue and it's worthwhile to follow (for me). Clearly it bores the hell out of you.

 

[plante2017]

I have contacted Ram Cares regarding the drag link issue/alignment problems by phone and an attempted contact on this forum (twice) - sadly I've had not response. When I called I was assured I'd be called within 2 days (about a week ago) - no such luck. After reading numerous posts regarding Ram Cares lack of responses I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. I'll keep trying - I'll keep you all posted with regards to Ram Cares responsiveness.

 

[GsRAM]

I have contacted Ram Cares regarding the drag link issue/alignment problems by phone and an attempted contact on this forum (twice) - sadly I've had not response. When I called I was assured I'd be called within 2 days (about a week ago) - no such luck. After reading numerous posts regarding Ram Cares lack of responses I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. I'll keep trying - I'll keep you all posted with regards to Ram Cares responsiveness.

Well. they had been responsive to some degree in the past, but I've been reading, more posts here as of late that say they (@RamCares ) has not gotten back to them.

Not good. Stay on them and call stellantis (or whatever the new company is called) customer service direct. Explain the situation and ask for a new drag link.

Good luck. No one should have to live with a welded drag link.