Dodge Ram Recall

[AH64ID]

My recall clearly states 03 through 08 model years. I called again this morning to the supplier of my upgraded parts I bought in 2012 and was told after 08.5 it is not part of the recall.

It is for 03-08 trucks, with 08.5+ steering. You will have to take your truck in for a look either way.

 

[cerberusiam]

You are not reading the recall in entirely in its context. The 03-08 states only trucks that had the linkage replaced with Mopar Service Parts. Mopar Service Parts ARE the upgraded linkage parts.

The OE linkage is not part of the recall as it does not have the binding issues.

The recal for the 08-12 trucks is the same to see if it has the slotted tie rod end and the pin the tie rod tube. It looks like for the upgraded linkage it will be a kit with the pin and possibly the tie rod end with a slot.

 

[TGVET]

Okay, got it. The person I talked to this morning then does not know and it was confusing. Thanks.

 

[cerberusiam]

Okay, got it. The person I talked to this morning then does not know and it was confusing. Thanks.

LOL, everybody is confused.

 

[TGVET]

LOL, everybody is confused.

That person was the Mopar Parts guy. He seemed very adamant about me having the "OK" steering linkage assembly he sold me..
Go figger..

 

[AH64ID]

That person was the Mopar Parts guy. He seemed very adamant about me having the "OK" steering linkage assembly he sold me..
Go figger..

You might have the updated updated part with the sleeved pin... Won't know until you take it in.

 

[JKosten]

So I was picking up some parts at the local dealer and stopped by the service department.

The recall is for tie rod with the clamp on steering stabilizer Y style.

See attached picture.

Posted via Topify on Android

 

[Wingate]

well crap, here we are 8 years later and still getting recalls on my truck! I JUST got the local stealership to acknowledge the last recall letter so I would quit getting it in the mail, and here we go again.
I just cannot bring myself to take my truck up there, when they originally did the 08 steering update, they left the bolts loose and half the linkage fell out from under the truck in the middle of a pasture! Before that, they left the air filter off of my wifes brand new GC for almost 5K miles, and left the RR wheel loose after doing a tire rotation.

 

[cerberusiam]

Not sure what you were told but those are 2 different linkages pictured. It is not a good\bad thing, just different types.

So I was picking up some parts at the local dealer and stopped by the service department.

The recall is for tie rod with the clamp on steering stabilizer Y style.

See attached picture.

Posted via Topify on Android

 

[seafish]

Not sure what you were told but those are 2 different linkages pictured. It is not a good\bad thing, just different types.

Pretty sure that he meant to imply that ONLY the newer Y linkage MIGHT have the bad bad tie rod end and need the recall done. The Y linkage is "potentailly bad, check further" and the older T linkage is "good to go"--

 

[cerberusiam]

The y-type linkage has no recall and is the early linkage. The t-type is the later linkage that has the problem with tie rod alignment. The labeling on the pictures is not very helpful because there is nothing wrong with the t-type linkage if it is installed correctly.

The wording is also confusing becasue the y-type steering does not have a clamp on damper, that is the t-type damper.

 

[brillmtb]

Great!!! So I just order, received and installed the "09 upgraded steering components" last week and then received my recall notice the next day. It seems that my stock steering parts may not have been part of the recall and the new ones are????. I cant tell from all the posts here how to tell for sure. I guess I will have to take the truck in

 

[AH64ID]

Great!!! So I just order, received and installed the "09 upgraded steering components" last week and then received my recall notice the next day. It seems that my stock steering parts may not have been part of the recall and the new ones are????. I cant tell from all the posts here how to tell for sure. I guess I will have to take the truck in

The new ones are. If the drivers side end has a split tongue and the passenger side an alignment pin the it's the new parts.

 

[seafish]

The y-type linkage has no recall and is the early linkage. The t-type is the later linkage that has the problem with tie rod alignment. The labeling on the pictures is not very helpful because there is nothing wrong with the t-type linkage if it is installed correctly.

The wording is also confusing becasue the y-type steering does not have a clamp on damper, that is the t-type damper.

My bad...you are correct the newer linkage is the T-style, with the damper bracket and has the tie rod end that might go "bad", and the older Y style, has the damper stud, and older tie rod end that is "good to go"...nonetheless, I do believbe that is JUST what the image shows, and what the poster was saying, though I did get the names reversed.

 

[brods]

You are not reading the recall in entirely in its context. The 03-08 states only trucks that had the linkage replaced with Mopar Service Parts. Mopar Service Parts ARE the upgraded linkage parts.

The OE linkage is not part of the recall as it does not have the binding issues.

The recal for the 08-12 trucks is the same to see if it has the slotted tie rod end and the pin the tie rod tube. It looks like for the upgraded linkage it will be a kit with the pin and possibly the tie rod end with a slot.

So can I bring in my old T linkage and get it exchanged for the upgraded one? Even though I disassembled the prematurely "seized" right end only to find out it was a ******* design?

well crap, here we are 8 years later and still getting recalls on my truck! I JUST got the local stealership to acknowledge the last recall letter so I would quit getting it in the mail, and here we go again.
I just cannot bring myself to take my truck up there, when they originally did the 08 steering update, they left the bolts loose and half the linkage fell out from under the truck in the middle of a pasture! Before that, they left the air filter off of my wifes brand new GC for almost 5K miles, and left the RR wheel loose after doing a tire rotation.

The recall has a post card with it. Just check the box saying the vehicle was inspected and found to be ok, drop it in the mail and they will leave you alone. Its worked for me so far.

My bad...you are correct the newer linkage is the T-style, with the damper bracket and has the tie rod end that might go "bad", and the older Y style, has the damper stud, and older tie rod end that is "good to go"...nonetheless, I do believbe that is JUST what the image shows, and what the poster was saying, though I did get the names reversed.

The tie rod end may fail at full lock if the linkage was installed with the rod ends not parallel with each other. The rod end itself is not the issue because earlier recalls replaced it only IF the rod ends were too far out of parallel (which would mean the rod end stud could have been exposed to excessive stress).



Well at least Chrysler is giving us good examples when trying to explain to our kids (and some of the younger guys at work) how good engineering ALWAYS has to look at the big picture. Between the ******* ball joints and this jacked up T linkage Chrysler has paid a heavy price in numerous recalls, needless warranty repairs, damaged reputation, etc. all because the design engineers didn’t properly consider the ramifications of their unique designs in the real world.

In Chrysler’s case they should have considered that experienced mechanics, who routinely replace ball joints and steering linkages, would be unlikely to read the special instructions for Chrysler’s ******* designs. Since the parts look the same as normal parts, the mechanics would simply assume they were normal ball joints and steering linkages and use the same diagnostic and installation procedures that have served them well for decades. For the ball joints that meant unnecessary replacements, not good, but not a safety issue. The steering linkage IS a safety issue and therefore was a very poor design decision on Chrysler’s part.

Wonder what the dollar amount this whole fiasco has cost them? And what was the point of the linkage change in the first place? To prevent steering shimmy (aka death wobble)?

 

[cerberusiam]

In Chrysler’s case they should have considered that experienced mechanics, who routinely replace ball joints and steering linkages, would be unlikely to read the special instructions for Chrysler’s ******* designs.

Rubbish!! Way to shoot for the lowest common denominator.

Lets see if I got this right:

1. ******* design aside, if INSTALLED correctly it WORKS correctly.

2. Chrysler includes special instructions on HOW to install correctly.

3. Professional mechanics should not have, or be relied on, to READ and COMPREHEND installation instructions.

4. Chrysler, in an attempt to avoid a slew of litigious whackos looking to make a buck, provides a fix that even a lube tech cannot screw up, but, is still faulted for not making it dummy proof to begin with.


By that reasoning, a cup of coffee MUST be labeled CAUTION: HOT LIQUID and for good measure a tamper proof lid installed so somebody that doesn't read the instructions cannot take the lid off and stick their finger in it. A hammer MUST be sold with a label indicating DANGER: HEAD INJURY MAY OCCUR and a helmet to make sure somebody that doesn't read or know how to use it cannot hit themselves in the head and cause severe injury.


Kudos to Chrysler for fixing something that isn't broke to avoid blame for the utter lack common sense in this world. :-laf

 

[mwilson]

A good 3/4 of the time our techs don't read the damn instructions that come with a recall or service letter. I have strict instructions for my parts people to not order anything until we (The Parts Department) read the paperwork and comprehend the content.

We catch a lot of issues beforehand that way.

Sloppy work habits such as not putting both tie rod ends in the same plane while aligning a vehicle result in nonsense like this. I was taught to do that while in school years ago.

Mike.

 

[brods]

Rubbish!! Way to shoot for the lowest common denominator.

Lets see if I got this right:

1. ******* design aside, if INSTALLED correctly it WORKS correctly.

2. Chrysler includes special instructions on HOW to install correctly.

3. Professional mechanics should not have, or be relied on, to READ and COMPREHEND installation instructions.

4. Chrysler, in an attempt to avoid a slew of litigious whackos looking to make a buck, provides a fix that even a lube tech cannot screw up, but, is still faulted for not making it dummy proof to begin with.


By that reasoning, a cup of coffee MUST be labeled CAUTION: HOT LIQUID and for good measure a tamper proof lid installed so somebody that doesn't read the instructions cannot take the lid off and stick their finger in it. A hammer MUST be sold with a label indicating DANGER: HEAD INJURY MAY OCCUR and a helmet to make sure somebody that doesn't read or know how to use it cannot hit themselves in the head and cause severe injury.


Kudos to Chrysler for fixing something that isn't broke to avoid blame for the utter lack common sense in this world. :-laf

I would agree with you if the parts looked unique. They don’t. They look exactly like parts that have been around unchanged for decades. Do you really think every mechanic reads the instructions for every part they install, especially after they’ve installed dozens or hundreds of them? No. Do you? Just like anyone with half a brain would not redesign an automatic shifter PRNDL to be PDNRL because it is obvious that would cause people accustom to the “normal” operation of the shift level to screw up.

Again, good design anticipates the real world ramifications of the design. Making something look like a standard part, but unlike the traditional design, is extremely important to install to exacting specifications is looking for trouble. I don’t see how you can argue with that. Their latest linkage design appears to address that by minimizing the chance for improper installation and is arguable much cheaper in the long run than trying to re-educate mechanics and dealing with warranty repairs due to misinstalled parts.

I deal with these engineering issues frequently with our equipment. A good sound design minimizes the chances for error and makes doing the correct thing the path of least resistance. Sure you can argue, like my boss, that the end user ultimately has the responsibility to do everything correctly, even if that means educating themselves on some crazy design they would have no way to know was different. But, unfortunately, that is not how the real world works.

PS please show where Chrysler informs anyone that the right side rod end with the T linkage is radically different than a normal rod end. It was not in the instructions that come with the T linkage and posting for someone in the 4th gen forum to reference a service manual to see if it was in there produced no answers. IF you are going to build a ******* part that looks like a normal part you DO have a responsibility to inform people it is different. My experience in the real world has shown that why you explain why something is important, then people are more likely to pay attention. So do you feel Chrysler has no responsibility to alert anyone that the right rod end is unique (and the root cause of the issues here)?

 

[AH64ID]

Just because the older style was more forgiving did not mean that many of them are not installed correctly, it just happens that the new design is less tolerant of improper installation.

 

[cerberusiam]

Sure you can argue, like my boss, that the end user ultimately has the responsibility to do everything correctly, even if that means educating themselves on some crazy design they would have no way to know was different. But, unfortunately, that is not how the real world works.

Seriously??? You didn't just abdicate all responsibility, pride, and conscious effort in the performance of your chosen profession, or did you?

Why would a preffesional even THINK about educating themselves on something new? Why would a professonal NOT read all the included literature with new innovations or replacements? Why would a professional NOT try to improve their knowledge and usefuleness? The questions are rhetorical, the answer is obvious. :-laf:-laf

You boss sounds like a very intelligent man, hence the reason he is the boss. Kudos for him for trying to explain how it works in the real world and holding some less than astute employees to a standard. He, at the very least, is trying.

As for reading about new innvoations and replacements, studying new things to find the right way to do it, a resounding YES is my answer, every day, every month, every year. You should try keeping abreast in an industry that is rolling paradigms, technology, and concepts every 18 months or so. In the real world, if you cannot grow, expand your knowledge, and prove you can think critically its the soup line. The amount of mediocrity that is accepted as minimal achievement is one reason why most of us cannot stomach the dealer shops, with some exceptions. No pride, no effort, no repsonsibility so we ALL pay the price in these ridiculous recalls.