Drag Link Recall ... Video

[AFMoulton]

This is honestly the first recall that I feel like they didn’t do their best right away. However with it being such a huge safety issue and possible loss of life, they made a decision.

On the other hand, they can figure out a way to get us better parts before just doing some 1/2 way fix. Or they can reimburse us for buying proper parts in the aftermarket.

This cannot be the permanent fix


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[chrisbh17]

With the reported lack of quality welds, surely Red LocTite would hold as good or better, no? And is at least easier to undo when (if?) a real fix finally arrives.

 

[Jimmy07]

Ha. I went to an alignment guy too after the third weld didn’t fix the original nut. I didn’t say anything, just told them I wanted an alignment. They put it up and immediately told me they wouldn’t touch it.

I would definitely find a more competent shop, since performing an actual alignment has nothing to do with the drag link. If the drag link adjuster is welded with the steering wheel in the 12:00 position, there won’t be any reason to adjust it for an alignment unless either the drag link grew, shrunk, bent, or you’re getting new tie rod ends installed.

 

[olyelr]

I would definitely find a more competent shop, since performing an actual alignment has nothing to do with the drag link. If the drag link adjuster is welded with the steering wheel in the 12:00 position, there won’t be any reason to adjust it for an alignment unless either the drag link grew, shrunk, bent, or you’re getting new tie rod ends installed.

Not true. If you change the toe, the steering wheel will need adjustment.

 

[jaflowers]

I'm pretty disheartened on this recall. This is my wife and I's 4th Dodge vehicle in 10 years, we still have the 2500 as well as a Durango R/T. Everything is paid for and have been contemplating another Dodge, mostly the Charger R/T Scat pack. With the doing away of the lifetime Maxcare warranty and now this very poor excuse for a fix recall, and FCA turning down reimbursement for my buying a new aftermarket one, I'm fairly certain they just lost any future sales to me. Sad, I really do like their products but this one fix has been unacceptable.

 

[Southpaw759]

Just went to my dealer and they told me they’re not replacing any, only welding them. I asked how to have an alignment after it’s welded, get this he told me “this is a permanent alignment ”. He also thinks this is going to be a 2 part fix, welding them just to make them “safe” to drive then replacing them when they have the parts. Beings my steering wheel is already crooked I’m having it done and hope there will be a better fix.

 

[22hemi13]

Just went to my dealer and they told me they’re not replacing any, only welding them. I asked how to have an alignment after it’s welded, get this he told me “this is a permanent alignment ”. He also thinks this is going to be a 2 part fix, welding them just to make them “safe” to drive then replacing them when they have the parts. Beings my steering wheel is already crooked I’m having it done and hope there will be a better fix.

Permanent alignment

 

[olyelr]

Just went to my dealer and they told me they’re not replacing any, only welding them. I asked how to have an alignment after it’s welded, get this he told me “this is a permanent alignment ”. He also thinks this is going to be a 2 part fix, welding them just to make them “safe” to drive then replacing them when they have the parts. Beings my steering wheel is already crooked I’m having it done and hope there will be a better fix.

Well for crying out loud, before you take it to the dealer get under there, loosen the nuts up and adjust it so the steering wheel is straight.

But when you are done, just tighten the nuts up and dont bother taking it to the dealer... it will be fine after that.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Hi RoadRamblerNJ,
I cannot determine when parts will arrive at your dealership. However, I would be happy to escalate a case for you and other forum members concerning this. This process connects you and your dealer to a case specialist who has access to the best information to assist you. If this is something you would be interested in, please send our team a private message and we would be happy to get this process started for you.
Alex
Ram Social Care Specialist

Thank you Alex.
I will be doing that.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Here is the “fix”. Chicken **** if you ask me.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

Hey, somebody put black play-doh blobs on yer draglink.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Fix? They didnt fix ****! Lol

They welded it because it was tight. So what was the issue in the first place then?

Exactly! Just so I'm clear on this...

They check it. If it's loose, they tighten it but if it's tight, they weld it?
Logically, the tightening would then make a weld necessary, so Weld 'em ALL and let God sort 'em out.

 

[AFMoulton]

Hey, somebody put black play-doh blobs on yer draglink.

Yep, and if this is a temp fix cool, if this is their permanent solution, there will be issues.

I’m engaged with the RamCares team and I’ll see what they say/where it goes.

I honestly could have welded it better.


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[KSH]

I doubt it will go anywhere with them..

 

[AFMoulton]

And if it doesn’t, I’m prepared


2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[GsRAM]

Not true. If you change the toe, the steering wheel will need adjustment.

100% correct!

 

[TonyCO]

I would definitely find a more competent shop, since performing an actual alignment has nothing to do with the drag link. If the drag link adjuster is welded with the steering wheel in the 12:00 position, there won’t be any reason to adjust it for an alignment unless either the drag link grew, shrunk, bent, or you’re getting new tie rod ends installed.

Exactly. As stated earlier my steering wheel is off, therefore the front end guy said he wouldn’t touch it.

 

[AFMoulton]

Spoke to Regional Manager today, and the RamCares escalation team. FCA is aware this is not a permanent fix, they also understand that front end alignments will not be able to be done until the new parts come out.

I was told that you can have your truck aligned at the dealer if you feel it is off and they will cover the cost until the new parts come out. I was told 3-6 months till the TSB/Recall should be issued for replacement, not welding. He didn’t sound 100% confident but did say they are working on the right, safe, long term solution. He spent about 35 minutes talking to me on the phone and seemed genuinely invested in making it right.

My service manager did agree that alignment would be taken care of and he wouldn’t have a problem with it.

This was a short term safety fix, to prevent anymore accidents/possible injuries or even death.

I’m good with what they said, and I will be following up.



2018 2500 6.4 4x4 4.10 Amsoil SS 0w-40, Softopper
Black Rhino Armory 18x9 +12mm
Cooper St MAXX LT295/70R18

2016 Durango 5.7 AWD 3.07 Amsoil SS 4 Qts 5W-30 and 3 Qts 0W-40
1996 Nissan Altima 2.4 Amsoil SS 5W-30

 

[GsRAM]

Well let's hope that's rhe case and he wasn't just pacifing you (blowing smoke)

If that truly was their plan...then why didn't they just say that on the original recall notice and avoid all this angst with us and countless others? That's just plain stupid/**** poor planning on their part.

We'll see what comes to fruition. I'm still very skeptical. I do hope your right and the guy you spoke with is being honest.

Again the unfortunate part is the typical person with no mechanical knowledge would have no clue of the ramifications of having the drag link welded until they try to have the truck aligned as has been noted here. Not good.

I hope you follow through and make this right for us FCA.

 

[gsfitzsr]

I don't understand FCA's recall on this link. If one of the nuts comes loose it will still function but will never come apart or unthread because the rod ends are fixed. Both nuts would have to come loose then maybe the adjustment nut may start to come loose, but your toe out would climb to 1" or more before the link came apart. Possibly FCA found some where only a few threads were engaging the adjustment nut or something like that. Welding only the adjustment collar to each nut tells me that's probably not the case, because they would have welded the nuts to the rod ends also.

 

[olyelr]

I don't understand FCA's recall on this link. If one of the nuts comes loose it will still function but will never come apart or unthread because the rod ends are fixed. Both nuts would have to come loose then maybe the adjustment nut may start to come loose, but your toe out would climb to 1" or more before the link came apart. Possibly FCA found some where only a few threads were engaging the adjustment nut or something like that. Welding only the adjustment collar to each nut tells me that's probably not the case, because they would have welded the nuts to the rod ends also.

Not true. If the nuts come so loose that the adjuster starts spinning, the toe in/toe out will not change at all. What will start happening is the steering wheel will start getting extremely crooked. A person would have to be a complete noob to not notice this happening before **** got dangerous.

The only thing that changes the toe is the adjuster on the tie rod.

But yes, I dont understand the recall either. As far as I see it, if the nuts are tight then all is good. How fawking hard is it to tighten up two nuts?!