Ram 3500 Track Bar Recall R-46

[Ram4Sam]

Is this a crack? SNOKING

#ad

Even to my old eyeballs, it sure does....... looks like the same crack in the paint like the other one, it just hasn't started to rust yet.

Sam

 

[mpaulson]

I'm a welder and own a fabrication shop, those welds look fine to me. When something is welded the weld and the material directly along the weld have stress in them from the welds and will always rust way faster that the rest of the material away from the weld. As well, paint doesn't adhere to the weld material as good and flakes off as you see in the picture, especially if hey don't clean the silicon film that is there from the welding process, it'll just flake off at any given time. I don't see anything of a crack nature there. Take a wire brush to it and remove the rest of the paint on the weld in question and have a look. spray some salt water on it and look the next day and if you see an obvious fine line of rust, then there is a crack that's not visable. Or just let the dealer do it's job if your fine with waiting. Nothing there that would bother me.

 

[mpaulson]

Even to my old eyeballs, it sure does....... looks like the same crack in the paint like the other one, it just hasn't started to rust yet.

Sam

Those are just "waves" in the weld puddle.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I'm no welder so I'm no expert, just what it looked like to me. A non issue anyway, as of yesterday, the truck belongs to FCA, because of other unsolved issues, now they can figure it out.

FYI, here is a pic of the same area on my 2016, doesn't look like anything changed......

Sam

#ad

 

[DonFitzwater]

Thanks for posting this pic Sam. I suspect this is another example of just a few trucks affected and a whole bunch being recalled for no reason. I've overloaded my truck and run on sub par roads for nearly 30k miles and no track bar failures. The welds still look good and no cracking.

 

[SnoKing]

I just notice that the original picture does include the extra brace, it is just hard to see! SNOKING

 

[Ram4Sam]

Thanks for posting this pic Sam. I suspect this is another example of just a few trucks affected and a whole bunch being recalled for no reason. I've overloaded my truck and run on sub par roads for nearly 30k miles and no track bar failures. The welds still look good and no cracking.

I'm no metal worker/welder so it may or may not have been cracked but since the power coat was coming off and the rust, who knows......One thing I am sure of, other than the crappy roads here in So cal, the truck was a pavement queen with no rough stuff or big loads.

Sam

 

[Kirwin]

So I had saved up my 5 recalls for my service visit today at my local Ram dealer. Interesting thing is, that after telling me last week when I set up the appointment that they could not perform the R46 recall, it is listed on my repair order as having been completed:

"I RECALL Recall / CSN 5 R46 SAFTEY RECALL R46 FRONT SUSPENSION TRACK BAR FRAME BRACKET
CAUSE
RECALL 13010190
19724 recall 0.40 inspect track bar frame mount for weld cracks per recall instructions. no cracks found."

So I asked what had changed and the service advisor stated that it was completed per the instructions that state to inspect the welds for cracks. Maybe this is just what they are doing until they can come up with a permanent fix? As I've stated before I'm sure that my frame will be fine. The welds are fused on both sides and I'm not concerned.

 

[Bob4x4]

The initial recall info I have is the trucks will be inspected,if a crack is found the dealer will ale an appointment with a corporate weld time to come to the dealer to make the repair. The dealer will be doing the axle r&r for the team to have full access to do what ever repair is needed

 

[Kirwin]

Here are the instructions:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM490691/RCRIT-15V541-5721.pdf

 

[Badunit]

I am always curious how they determine the range of VINS that are affected. or, conversely, how they determine that the others are okay. I wonder if the reinforcement bracket (that is currently not available) will be available for everyone. Depending on what it is, I might want to add one just to be on the safe side.

 

[Bob4x4]

I am always curious how they determine the range of VINS that are affected. or, conversely, how they determine that the others are okay. I wonder if the reinforcement bracket (that is currently not available) will be available for everyone. Depending on what it is, I might want to add one just to be on the safe side.

It may be as simple as a welding machine was changed out and not set correctly,there are no reinforcment brackets associated with this recall that will be available at the dealer level.If there is a problem found a weld team will be dispatched to the dealer to make the needed repair

 

[Badunit]

From the 2nd to last page, in the letter that will be sent to affected customers:

Track bar brackets found without cracked welds will have track bar reinforcement brackets installed. However, the track bar reinforcement brackets required to provide a permanent remedy are currently not available. FCA is making every effort to obtain reinforcement brackets as quickly as possible. FCA will contact you again by mail, with a follow-up recall notice, when the parts are available.

 

[Bob4x4]

From the 2nd to last page, in the letter that will be sent to affected customers:

Track bar brackets found without cracked welds will have track bar reinforcement brackets installed. However, the track bar reinforcement brackets required to provide a permanent remedy are currently not available. FCA is making every effort to obtain reinforcement brackets as quickly as possible. FCA will contact you again by mail, with a follow-up recall notice, when the parts are available.

The official recall has been released to dealers already,it stands as I stated at this time.Recalls have been modified in the past,only time will tell

 

[moparnut72]

I am always curious how they determine the range of VINS that are affected. or, conversely, how they determine that the others are okay. I wonder if the reinforcement bracket (that is currently not available) will be available for everyone. Depending on what it is, I might want to add one just to be on the safe side.

It is my understanding that those trucks manufactured after they switched from hand welding to robot welding are not included in the recall. My truck is included in the recall and the welding on mine is actually quite good.
kk

 

[Dieselnerd]

The official recall has been released to dealers already,it stands as I stated at this time.Recalls have been modified in the past,only time will tell

I just got my second R46 recall letter. It says to have the truck inspected and if no welds are cracked they will install reinforcement brackets. The brackets are currently unavailable.

If they are cracked, they will give you a loaner vehicle and keep your truck until they can complete the repair.

Since I leave with my fifth wheel for the south in a couple of weeks, I need my real truck. My welds look good (to me anyhow) so I believe I will wait to take it in until they can do the whole fix. It seems like my truck was at the dealer half of the summer for recalls...

 

[RamThumper]

R46 second notice too. DW and I were discussing how many recalls we collected for our dually. Is it just me or you guys feel the same as i do that this is an extreme amount of issues. Owned 3 previous rams and this forth one just so disappointing. I still love my dually and i hope the recalls will come to the end..... happy thanksgiving.

 

[TCDiesel]

Why is it disappointing? it superior in just about every category in stock form. Big changes develop in 2013 it should be expected, in reality its not that big of deal. Its the doom and gloom social trolls that twist and exasperate even the simplest of repairs.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Why is it disappointing? it superior in just about every category in stock form. Big changes develop in 2013 it should be expected, in reality its not that big of deal. Its the doom and gloom social trolls that twist and exasperate even the simplest of repairs.

You're right Todd, this is the best truck I've ever owned and it tows like a dream. I absolutely love it!

But, I still have to say it's a royal pain to take it in almost monthly and wait a few hours at the dealer. I put up with it because as a truck it is such a great leap forward and I do appreciate the complexity of the hardware and software.

Now when we talk about air bag wiring getting chafed and bad welds, that's just poor manufacturing and a real safety issue as well.

My wife has a 2014 Dodge. We got it because all the electronic controls are almost the same as the truck. Same radio and EVIC settings, etc. Not one single recall or update! I'm hoping that next year my truck also settles down and becomes stable.

 

[TCDiesel]

Diesel I agree, Its the complexity...Are you leaving for the winter? or already gone.