Busted drag link

[Richard Kim]

I was parking the truck (2016 2500 Hemi with 144K), heard a snap and the steering goes limp. Drag link is no joke. Called FCA (RAM) and they called the dealer. The dealer is taking care of everything under the recall. Thank God this did not happen on the highway.
On the flip side, wife is concerned and asked if it's time for a new truck. I looked at the current truck prices and said nope. Will drive this to 200K and then make a decision. Great truck otherwise.

 

[mtnrider]

There has been a recall on that for a few years, why did you not have it taken care of before? Glad no one was hurt, that could have ended very badly had you been driving.

.

 

[crazy jerry]

There has been a recall on that for a few years, why did you not have it taken care of before?

.

kim must not know how a jam nut turn buckle system works. once the nut loosens all the tension is gone and things go down hill.
mosf likely hes been driving for a long time with the nut loose.
thats what happens when vehicle owners make no attempt to inspect things once in a while.
see stuff like this all the time on forums

 

[2003F350]

There has been a recall on that for a few years, why did you not have it taken care of before? Glad no one was hurt, that could have ended very badly had you been driving.

.

Because the official fix from FCA is to weld everything, which means if you ever need an alignment, you have to purchase a new drag link (instead of just replacing it up front).

Yes, you can buy the updated one and get reimbursed for it, but that's extra paperwork that shouldn't have to be filled out. They should simply be doing the replacement up front.

 

[2003F350]

kim must not know how a jam nut turn buckle system works. once the nut loosens all the tension is gone and things go down hill.
mosf likely hes been driving for a long time with the nut loose.
thats what happens when vehicle owners make no attempt to inspect things once in a while.
see stuff like this all the time on forums

Given what the issue with the 2016/2017 drag link was (improperly cut threads), I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that the nut backed off. More likely the threads pulled out finally (which is what the recall stated there was a risk of), and thankfully happened in a parking lot instead of cornering on a road.

 

[2003F350]

I was parking the truck (2016 2500 Hemi with 144K), heard a snap and the steering goes limp. Drag link is no joke. Called FCA (RAM) and they called the dealer. The dealer is taking care of everything under the recall. Thank God this did not happen on the highway.
On the flip side, wife is concerned and asked if it's time for a new truck. I looked at the current truck prices and said nope. Will drive this to 200K and then make a decision. Great truck otherwise.

View attachment 515080

See my problem isn't the prices of new trucks. It is the packaging. It is disappointing that to buy a new 2023, in order to get a sunroof I ALSO have to get the 12" screen. I would prefer the smaller screen, because that monster screen has a higher likelyhood of reflecting sunlight into my eyes, thus making me a distracted driver. It's a safety concern.

 

[jejb]

I was parking the truck (2016 2500 Hemi with 144K), heard a snap and the steering goes limp. Drag link is no joke. Called FCA (RAM) and they called the dealer. The dealer is taking care of everything under the recall. Thank God this did not happen on the highway.

For sure! Glad it happened while parking.

On the flip side, wife is concerned and asked if it's time for a new truck. I looked at the current truck prices and said nope. Will drive this to 200K and then make a decision. Great truck otherwise.

Before you pass final judgement, price the new truck out at Mark Dodge Ram over in Lake Charles, LA. If you're willing to order one, you can save a LOT of money off sticker.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Insist on a new, redesigned drag link assembly - don't let em weld it together like they did to mine. A-holes.

 

[White six four]

That could have ended badly.

You can have your truck aligned after they weld the jam nuts. I had my truck realigned twice after I bought it. The recall was done on mine before I bought it. They just grind off the welds, adjust, and re weld.

 

[Phylodog]

Just had mine replaced under warranty today. Glad it happened while parking and not on the highway!