Possivle recall 3500 ebrake cable

[cptwing]

Yesterday I noticed something very disturbing and I believe it should be and may likely become a recall issue. I have a 3500 DRW on the drivers side inboard tire I noticed a black circular rub line on the inner sidewall. Upon closer inspection the lettering was almost completely worn away.

What I found was the E-brake cable was rubbing against it. To compound the problem the outer plastic lining on the E-brake cable is worn thru down to the metal liner.

The big issue for me is that I looked at it six ways to Sunday and there appears to be nothing missing. This cable runs between the leaf spring and the tire. There is about 1 to 2 inches clearance between the leaf pack and the tire sidewall, the cable itself is about 1/2 inch in diameter. on top of that the way the cable is routed it is in between the bump stop and the leaf spring. The only option would be to tie wrap it to the leaf spring, which is kind of stupid. But this would still have it in between the bump stop and the leaf spring. Bear in mind this cable is not very flexible and there is really no other way to route it.

The bottom line is it will rub on the tire or the leaf pack no matter what, the way it is designed and installed.

That said I believe Fiat owes me not only a new cable, but a new tire and a reasonable fix so this does not occur again. I am taking it to the shop tonight to see what their response is.

I will also post some pic later tonight or tomorrow.

I am not sure if this affects any other trucks 1500, 2500 or SWR 3500, but please look at your trucks and post the findings here.

 

[cgeorgemo]

The parking brake cable?
Sounds like they might have installed it wrong or it shifted after install.
Let us know what the shop says.
If the lettering is all that is missing they might not replace the tire since the lettering is decorative not structural. But then again in the interest of being overly safe they might.

 

[cptwing]

Went to the dealership last night. I looked at similar truck on the lot (2014 CC 3500 DRW). I crawled underneath camera in hand. What I found was that the E brake cable was routed around the leaf spring toward the center of the truck and then back into the wheel assembly. This design is not all that great either as it rubs on the leaf spring. So it appears the cable on my truck was routed incorrectly (in between the tire and the leaf spring) when it was assembled.

I got there too late to speak to the SM, but that is just as well, I am going to call Fiat myself, I am going to very firmly insist they replace both the cable and the tire.

 

[cptwing]

Just spoke to Fiat got a case number, then spoke to SM. I got a feeling I'm going to get screwed over here. I hear it now well the cable and the tire are wear items, etc, etc. And that may be true, but they are not designed to wear out against each other, because some ******* installed it wrong.

Maybe I'm getting my dander up prematurely, but I know what kind horse**** these clowns pull, and I not settling for it.

 

[cgeorgemo]

Just spoke to Fiat got a case number, then spoke to SM. I got a feeling I'm going to get screwed over here. I hear it now well the cable and the tire are wear items, etc, etc. And that may be true, but they are not designed to wear out against each other, because some ******* installed it wrong.

Maybe I'm getting my dander up prematurely, but I know what kind horse**** these clowns pull, and I not settling for it.

I don't believe the cable is a wear item, and he sidewall of the tire isn't where it is supposed to wear the tread is where it would wear down.

 

[cptwing]

Got the truck fixed only took the dealer four weeks to agree to fix it. According to the SM they fixed it and still have not had Ram answer the claim, they replace the tire and the e brake cable. The ebrake cable was routed incorrectly when the truck was assembled. If Ram denies replacing the tire tough on them I will not pay for it.

Now here is the kicker, while it was in there it was due for an oil change and there were two outstanding recalls on it one for the oil filter adapter and one for the tpms. This was only the second oil change on my truck. When I bought the truck I got 8 free oil changes courtesy of Ram. When they did my first oil change they said they could not do it for free only the dealer where I bought it could, but they could do it for 20.00 so I said ok. When I picked the truck up this last time they charged me 113.00 for the frigging oil change, WTF and when I looked at the receipt it said 5W20 on it. I have the 6.4L and Fiat specifically states that only 0w40 can be used in this engine. The SM assured me that they used 0W40 and that the computer puts that on the bill automatically and he crossed it out. He then showed me my free oil change agreement, but when I asked him for a copy of it he said he could not give me one because Fiat does not allow that.

Fast forward 2 days later, I stopped into another dealership and asked them if they could help me with sales code RH1 (cd player). I added this a while back, my normal dealer turned it on and all worked great until, I brought it in for a abs light error and then erased the sales code for the cd player and claimed they could not get it to work again (long story). Anyway this other dealer assure me no problem 50.00 and half our and I would be all good. Well an hour later that SM call me over says they cant get it to work, I note the idiot tech has my driver door edge up against a tire rack and put two small (very small and on the edge of the door) chips in the paint. I maintained my composure but pointed it out, and got a deer in the headlights look from the Tech and the SM, Frigging idiots. Anyway no go on the Cd player but they did not charge me. But the SM kept asking me about the TPMS recall, and I told him I already had that done and he told me that the computer still showed it as an open recall???

Where the F#@# do they train these idiots, so far I have found at 4 different dealerships that Ram techs are
1.) Dumber than dirt
2.) Could care less if they damage or soil your vehiclele, guess they can't see it from there house.
4.) Have the moral integrity of a tick.

The service mangers are worse than the sales staff, just plain liars, con artist and crooks.

I know dealerships regardless of brand are far from upstanding members of society, but these Fiat clowns are in a league of their own. As much as I like my truck and I have been seriously wanting and looking into buying a new HELLCAT, I'm thinking of going back to GM or Ford.


Going to call Fiat customer care and make a complaint on this.