Drag Link Recall ... Video

[GsRAM]

I'm the same way. An off center steering wheel would keep me up at night...lol. My son has put 26,000 miles on his truck since late July when he bought it so guessing his is still centered or he would have mentioned it. I actually test drove it before he bought it and it was centered then or I would have noticed it and it was already welded at that point.

Then your son got very lucky his wheel remained centered. The vast majority of the time that does not happen. The drag link by design is supposed to be adjustable to center the steering wheel. That's how I want my truck post recall. Give me back what I had and not less. Or maybe they ground the welds off and reentered the wheel after the alignment? In any event the weld is not an appropriate repair, period end of story.

I have continue to refuse to allow mine to be welded and have requested the revised FCA drag link.

 

[dhay13]

Mine has not been welded yet but I haven't taken it in since I bought it last May. I will be taking it in for an oil change and tire rotation in the next few months but will tell them to NOT do the weld. I have been checking mine and it hasn't moved.

 

[mkcummins66]

i cant believe they think welding an adjustable part is a fix. its ridiculous

 

[MegaRam18]

I was notified today that my reimbursement has been approved. I had a local shop install the updated Mopar drag link, and do an alignment. FCA is reimbursing me for the whole thing. About $400.

Sent from my old rotary phone using Tapatalk [emoji3513]

So, received my check from FCA yesterday. That's about 10 days to process. I'm a happy camper.

Sent from my old rotary phone using Tapatalk [emoji3513]

 

[GsRAM]

That's excellent! I'm hoping they'll do the same for me.

Could you please post a photo of the memo section of that check so we can see what the description says?

I've been going back and forth with @RamCares via PM. They told me they couldn't guarantee I'd be reimbursed, then I asked 3 times for the criteria for reimbursement and was told it was on a case by case basis, but they refused to tell me what documentation I need to submit or what they are looking for.

Then I was told I would not be reimbursed, before I even bought the part or sent it in for review! Then I was told again that I could submit the request but they can't guarantee me anything.

So that begs the question......I have a 2017 Ram 2500 with an open recall for the drag link. I've refused to allow any welding to be done. Others in this exact same scenario have replaced them with the revised OEM part, and have been reimbursed...so why am I being told (with the exact same criteria) I won't be reimbursed before I even submit anything to FCA for review?

I just don't understand the rationale at all. Am I being singled out or prejudiced because I asked my dealer to contact ther FCA rep on my behalf? Because I sent FCA letters asking for them to replace my defective drag link?

It makes no sense to me at all. I think I've finally decided to buy the replacement link and either install myself or have my dealer do it, then file for reimbursement...and hope FCA does the right thing and takes care of me.

More than that, I don't know what else to do at this point.

Sadly, I have to say that despite the fact that I've spent $65,000+ over the past 3 years in new car purchases with FCA, my perception is that they don't care about me, or keeping me a happy, loyal customer at all. I feel like they could care less whether I purchase another FCA product or not, and I do like mopar... my ram made me a mopar man... then this whole fiasco....it really is ashame.

 

[MegaRam18]

The only information in the memo area is my vin, dates, invoice #, nothing useful.

Sent from my old rotary phone using Tapatalk [emoji3513]

 

[BLUEDERANGO]

This is exactly what is so screwed up with FCA, you do everything they say they require and still get "Denied", It surly seems they really DON'T CARE.

 

[GsRAM]

The only information in the memo area is my vin, dates, invoice #, nothing useful.

Sent from my old rotary phone using Tapatalk [emoji3513]

Copy that, thanks.

 

[GsRAM]

This is exactly what is so screwed up with FCA, you do everything they say they require and still get "Denied", It surly seems they really DON'T CARE.

Yes, that is what is very concerning to me. That some have been paid, others denied and the ones that have been denied are not given the specific reason. It sure does not seem right, at least to me.

I just don't understand why exceptions can't be made for folks that don't want them welded. Maybe some don't mind or care and that's fine.

Oh well. I'm pretty much powerless to do anything about it. I'll replace it and file for reimbursement and hope they take care of me.

It concerns me that they are being so strict about a $50 part. It worries me how they will respond if I have a legitimate major issue like an engine or trans failure. Hopefully I won't have to go down that road.

It's been a great truck for me so far over 3 yrs in and I do really like it...I just wish this issue was being handled differently.

 

[mtnrider]

I just don't understand the rationale at all. Am I being singled out or prejudiced because I asked my dealer to contact ther FCA rep on my behalf? Because I sent FCA letters asking for them to replace my defective drag link?

My 2 cents, it's just luck of the draw who get's reimbursed and who doesn't? At least that's my take on it from what I have seen. It might be which customer care specialists desk it happens to come across when you submit? Jimmy is approving them all and Sarah is denying everyone. If your claim ends up on Sarah's desk you are screwed. And once denied I think you are done at the point, no going back.

.

 

[BLUEDERANGO]

Just a wonderful way for them (FCA and RAM CARES) to be doing business, no guidelines, just the whim of some minimum wage phone artist.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Just a wonderful way for them (FCA and RAM CARES) to be doing business, no guidelines, just the whim of some minimum wage phone artist.

 

[RodeoRam]

Uggh! Ordered the Synergy Drag Link through 4WheelParts yesterday. They called today and said Synergy is backordered 5-9 weeks.

 

[RodeoRam]

Sorry, I listened to my voicemail from 4WheelParts again, and he said it was backordered 5-7 weeks, not 5-9 if anyone cares.

I was able to find AZ Offroad & Performance with some in stock so I ordered one from them and cancelled the 4WheelParts order. We'll see if that works.

For those of you who have done this install yourselves, was it difficult? I haven't worked on steering before. I would need to get a loaner tie rod end puller or buy a set of pullers, but the Synergy instructions seem simple enough. Dad said I could break an anvil so do you guys have any advice on stuff to watch out for? I'll drive it to get an alignment after the install, and I would really love it if I didn't end up in the ditch or hitting that immovable object on the way.

Would there be any issue with my dealer closing the recall after the install and alignment?

Thanks.

 

[SRich2015]

I installed mine myself in my garage. Easy job just pull the passenger side wheel and a hammer did the job. Follow the instructions and once installed adjust to get your steering wheel straight. No need for an alignment shop. IMO

 

[crazy jerry]

you can beat on the pitman arm and steering knuckle with sledge hammers and it might work. personally i prefer the correct tool. not only is the correct puller alot faster but beating on the steering box shaft (sector shaft) is plain stupid if you ask me

 

[odinjunior]

I took mine in and had the recall done.

 

[mtnrider]

I had mine replaced last week with the new updated part. I refused to have mine welded and FCA reached out to me and offered to replace it. It was a long frustrating process but it eventually got replaced.

 

[RodeoRam]

Thanks to all of you for your advice. The part is scheduled to arrive Monday.

 

[GsRAM]

I had mine replaced last week with the new updated part. I refused to have mine welded and FCA reached out to me and offered to replace it. It was a long frustrating process but it eventually got replaced.

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Ditto!