New Recall V06

[SeventyGTX]

The 14-16 parts are not available yet

The dealer told me the parts are the same for all years, 13-18. So parts aren't available for any of them. Why they only weld 13's, 17's and 18's is a mystery, even to the service writer I talked to.

 

[mwilson]

I talked to one of my contacts at a dealership yesterday, he said a lot of people are rejecting the appointments when they find out about the welding...

What a mess.....

 

[JPM]

I talked to one of my contacts at a dealership yesterday, he said a lot of people are rejecting the appointments when they find out about the welding...

What a mess.....

Wow!

 

[RChandler]

Buyer beware the Dealers are welding all the unsold trucks that have the recall …..Going to keep mine a un welded truck

 

[SeventyGTX]

Not sure why everyone gets twisted up about tack welding a nut as a temporary fix. I was a body tech for my entire career and welded on plenty of 1/4 panels, floors, bedsides, frame rails ect on cars and trucks with very few issues. The only problem I see, is these are service techs not ICAR certified welders, unless the dealer has a body shop. But either way, it's just a tack weld. When I was working we just put a surge protector on the battery.

 

[RChandler]

I'm not sure its just a tack weld I agree welding ( should ) not cause a problem with the electronics I would rather not take a chance . I'm getting a feeling that
there was more of a problem with the manufacturing of the link where there is to much clearance in the threads so it is welded not just tacked . Twisted is right
I am

 

[JohnBiccum]

Yea, my malware detector does not like that site. I think I will just go by what two separate dealers told me, parts are not available.

This site doesn't have a valid SSL cert so you can't use https:// and must use http://. So anything you enter at that site is NOT encrypted in transit.
English translation: assume the site is hostile or under the control of people who don't understand anything about website security.

 

[JohnBiccum]

I'm not sure its just a tack weld I agree welding ( should ) not cause a problem with the electronics I would rather not take a chance . I'm getting a feeling that
there was more of a problem with the manufacturing of the link where there is to much clearance in the threads so it is welded not just tacked . Twisted is right
I am

Regarding the welding the recall procedure (link posted earlier in this thread) is very specific regarding the weld length, etc.

IF done per the procedure there will be two *tack* welds. The electronics won't be an issue IF the procedure is followed because the negative terminal of the "battery" will be disconnected before welding.

But if someone hollers at Bubba and tells him to "fire up ole sparky and make sure them jamnuts aren't coming loose" who knows what the weld will look like!

 

[JohnBiccum]

Not sure why everyone gets twisted up about tack welding a nut as a temporary fix. I was a body tech for my entire career and welded on plenty of 1/4 panels, floors, bedsides, frame rails ect on cars and trucks with very few issues. The only problem I see, is these are service techs not ICAR certified welders, unless the dealer has a body shop. But either way, it's just a tack weld. When I was working we just put a surge protector on the battery.

I'll tell you why THIS owner gets "twisted up about tack welding".

1) FCA engineers designed adjustability into this part so toe-in can be adjusted. Some alignment shop down the road is not going to grind off two welds made under recall procedures so they won't adjust the toe unless I buy the -AB suffix part at my expense and install it at my expense. Ya, they probably *do* have a grinder but are very unlikely to assume the legal liability of "unrecalling" a vehicle, especially for this safety issue.

2) I have concerns that the real problem is thread engagement and two tack welds don't fix that problem, the welds just conceal that problem.

3) The temper of the three welded components will change in the heat-affected zone of the weld, and we already have concerns about the fitment of those threads.

4) I paid a lot of money for a new truck and this weldment "fix" is so half-assed that both FCA and NHTSA should be questioned on how this travesty came to be. I love to know WHO at NHTSA said that tack welding a steering component critical to vehicle control on a one-ton truck is "good enough". I'd like to know who their boss is too because they need to make some organizational changes!

5) I have seen NOTHING in writing that says this is a temporary fix. In fact the recall procedure says the recall is "completed" after welding per part C and says to update FCA's records to show that the recall is "complete".

I'm skeptical that the plan is to eventually give everyone the -AB part.

 

[mwilson]

The electronics won't be an issue IF the procedure is followed because the negative terminal of the "battery" will be disconnected before welding.

Standard operating procedure now at most reputable shops, even here as a matter of fact.

A few things did get fried many years back but we learned quickly....

 

[RChandler]

I think John B is right … Will probably have to get it welded to get the recall resolved, then go buy the Synergy drag link and put in myself . I'm not going to say
will not buy Ram again but I was expecting more out of them than this cheeseball fix

 

[JohnBiccum]

If my truck is welded per the procedures in the recall here is my plan:

1) Ask FCA to replace the weldment with a -AB suffix part, when available, at FCA expense, setting toe-in to spec
2) If they say NO, pay for the work myself then
3) Sue FCA in Small Claims Court in King County, WA and
4) Create a "toolkit" so that anyone here can use it to help them sue FCA in their jurisdiction's small claims court


I say let's give FCA a choice of paying to have the recall done correctly or paying for the lawyers to defend FCA in hundreds or thousands of $1500 small claims actions.

Do it right FCA, I'm not going away quietly.

 

[RChandler]

Thanks John …. Mine is scheduled to go in in May for the fix going to push it out till end of June . There was a post that said in June part will be available
will see what happens .. Not holding my breath

 

[TFucili]

Not defending their mickey mouse patch job at all, but the part being welded is not the toe adjustment. It provides a means to center the steering without fiddling with rod ends, and the toe adjustment.

 

[JohnBiccum]

Not defending their mickey mouse patch job at all, but the part being welded is not the toe adjustment. It provides a means to center the steering without fiddling with rod ends, and the toe adjustment.

Ya might want to tell that to FCA. Here is one step of the recall (bold type added by me for emphasis, not bold in recall procedure)

2. After adjustment, using a backer wrench and a 41 mm crowsfoot, such as Special Tool 2069400190 (Snap-on SCOM41) or equivalent, tighten the drag link turnbuckle jam nuts to 148 N·m (109 ft. lbs.). Make sure the toe setting does not change during tightening (Figure 2).

 

[TFucili]

I'd guess it could be done the old fashioned way via the rod ends???

 

[JohnBiccum]

Hold the presses: FCA tells me that there is a Rev 2, April 2019 version out now. Working on getting a copy up here.

 

[16longhorn]

Hold the presses: FCA tells me that there is a Rev 2, April 2019 version out now. Working on getting a copy up here.

Can't wait to see what they come up with....

 

[JohnBiccum]

As promised, Rev 2. Assessing what has changed now...

 

[RChandler]

Sounds like if it torques up ( which it probably will ) they weld it … Turd is in our pocket