New Recall V06

[Tuesdak]

Little more info in the 4x2 nhtsa document ... FCA notes bending loads may be part of the cause. PDF from link attached.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/inv/2019/INOA-EA19004-6136.PDF

As far off as the alignment has been including a bad tire, bluntly, there isn't going to be a reliable "warning" before a failure. As much as these trucks follow the "road crown" one could easily miss a warning as one assumes the truck is just following another road crown. Before the 3rd alignment pictured below is just about situation normal. We will see if this go around holds up.

 

[AH64ID]

There is going to be more than 360° of steering wheel misalignment before the drag link separates on these truck. There is a lot of thread engagement for a properly centered steering wheel.

The amount of adjustment needed to fix that wheel is a fraction of 1 turn, and there are multiple full turns of threads still inside the adjustment sleeve.

I simply cannot fathom missing enough misalignment to have separation.

 

[Tuesdak]

Any known difference in the 68338342AD revision vs. the older P/N 68338342AB ?

I was under the assumption that 1 nut came loose and then it somehow wore the threads out till they suddenly stripped clean out. If both nuts come loose I can see it unthreading in a short amount of time. Maybe I missed how exactly they fail.

 

[AH64ID]

Any known difference in the 68338342AD revision vs. the older P/N 68338342AB ?

I couldn’t find any, and I also couldn’t find any info on the AD. Everyone getting the replacement link is getting an AB from what I can tell.

I was under the assumption that 1 nut came loose and then it somehow wore the threads out till they suddenly stripped clean out. If both nuts come loose I can see it unthreading in a short amount of time. Maybe I missed how exactly they fail.

I suppose that could be a failure too, but even that should be noticeable by the driver IMO.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I had mine "PROPERLY" aligned right after I bought it 5 years ago and MY nuts are TIGHT.

 

[SnoKing]

I had mine "PROPERLY" aligned right after I bought it 5 years ago and MY nuts are TIGHT.

Maybe the tech clocked the ends and tighten the nuts correctly?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Maybe the tech clocked the ends and tighten the nuts correctly?

Could be, it was done at Virg's in Mt Vernon by the owner. He really was a Professional. He sold to Zip Tune recently and retired, He did a lot of work for me since the early 80's.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I know off topic but could someone post a pic or a thread link to the chart showing sales based on Classification on a recent thread. I need to show someone on another forum Class 3 sales.

Thanks

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

This is a rather large recall for so few issues. I don't really think it was necessary, and the fix is worse than problem.. hence my order of the OE upgraded part... I just want them to stop calling me and mark it complete.

Both nuts would have to come loose and substantial unthreading of the adjuster to cause a loss of control, and if someone doesn't notice their steering wheel starting to move relative to straight then there are more issues between the steering wheel and the seat than between the steering wheel and the tires.

I think the issue is the thread size/engagement in the adjuster sleeve. Sort of a flexing/bending force that wears the threads out on adjuster and drag link if the lock nuts come loose. Then ends of drag link could pull out of adjuster sleeve without much if any warning. When I bought my '14 last March there was noticeable rust at lock nuts, when I loosened them I could move drag link up and down in threads of adjuster. Wish I had a good video of it. I just knew it was bad enough to get a replacement under V06 - nope just welded. I'll spend the money for the updated part instead of fooling with the dealer. I may send a nice letter with an invoice just to let them know I'm not happy.

I'd probably be a little more incensed if I had a newer truck still under warranty. I'm used to repairing my own stuff so not too worried.

If I get the new drag link installed sometime this year I will cut the welds and try to get a good video and pictures - the locknuts had been loose a while.

 

[AH64ID]

Here is it.

now to find time to install it. Probably when I do my Titan tank in the coming weeks.

 

[R.Taylor]

I had mine "PROPERLY" aligned right after I bought it 5 years ago and MY nuts are TIGHT.

I thought nuts stretched with age..

 

[Cummins12V98]

I thought nuts stretched with age..

Now that right there is too DAMZ funny!

 

[SnoKing]

One some things it is better to go low vs going high. AKA never dropping.

 

[SnoKing]

Here is it.

now to find time to install it. Probably when I do my Titan tank in the coming weeks.

View attachment 119338

John, did you get it installed? Any issues removing the old one? I have limited tools here in Arizona.

I went around and around on the phone with RAM last week. They do not know why the agent told me on Feb 28th they would ship a part for my truck. Go figure! I may order the parts and do this:

"RECALL REIMBURSEMENT
If you have already incurred recall-related costs on the repair of your vehicle, you may qualify for reimbursement.

Please begin the recall reimbursement process, which is handled on a case-by-case basis."

 

[AH64ID]

John, did you get it installed? Any issues removing the old one? I have limited tools here in Arizona.

I went around and around on the phone with RAM last week. They do not know why the agent told me on Feb 28th they would ship a part for my truck. Go figure! I may order the parts and do this:

"RECALL REIMBURSEMENT
If you have already incurred recall-related costs on the repair of your vehicle, you may qualify for reimbursement.

Please begin the recall reimbursement process, which is handled on a case-by-case basis."

Its installed and working perfectly. It took 2 test drives to get the steering wheel properly centered, but that was better than taking it in for an alignment, since it was aligned 6K miles ago.

The old one came out ok. The rod end on the pitman arm was a major PITA to remove, so I ended up renting a large tie rod puller from O’Reillys and even that took some effort for a 18 month old truck. The other end came out like I expected.

I submitted my reimbursement claim to FCA and it was approved. I’m expecting a check any day. It wasn’t a painless process but it wasn’t bad. I ended up having to call them to ask a question and then resubmit the receipt. They wanted me to take it to Ram for the fix, even thou I submitted the claim after it was fixed.

 

[SnoKing]

Its installed and working perfectly. It took 2 test drives to get the steering wheel properly centered, but that was better than taking it in for an alignment, since it was aligned 6K miles ago.

The old one came out ok. The rod end on the pitman arm was a major PITA to remove, so I ended up renting a large tie rod puller from O’Reillys and even that took some effort for a 18 month old truck. The other end came out like I expected.

I submitted my reimbursement claim to FCA and it was approved. I’m expecting a check any day. It wasn’t a painless process but it wasn’t bad. I ended up having to call them to ask a question and then resubmit the receipt. They wanted me to take it to Ram for the fix, even thou I submitted the claim after it was fixed.

I was thinking about ordering the parts and taking to the dealer for the recall and saying: Here are the new parts please install them.

 

[AH64ID]

I was thinking about ordering the parts and taking to the dealer for the recall and saying: Here are the new parts please install them.

You could always call and ask if they will do that and charge FCA the install.

 

[SnoKing]

So I played around with a site that confirms that a part fits:
Drag Link-Steering - Mopar (68338342AB)
THIS FITS 2020 3500 Laramie Crew Cab 6.7L Turbo I6 Diesel 4WD
Site says it does not fit early model years.

DRAG LINK. Steering.
68338342AD

Says it fits earlier model years and 2020's.

 

[SnoKing]

I've been involved with this post for awhile just wanted to share . I was so upset with FCA and dealerships response to this issue , all I wanted was yes or no if there was going to be a replacement link down the road instead of the weld job fix never could get answer . I took a chance and hand wrote letter to the CEO of FCA expressing my concerns about the fact no more adjustment, welding and electronics issue and the fact that there is an issue with the thread engagement and a tack weld is not going to hold it together I wanted the improved link . I also sent pic of a very bad weld job done by dealer . I had appointment to do the weld fix later in may ,was going to make them remove the link and bench weld it put back on just so I could clear the recall then get it home and replace it with Synergy link which I bought . Then I started getting calls from FCA and then the dealer ( The big guy must have read my letter ) that they are not going to weld on my truck and provided new upgraded link which they rushed me in to do today . Squeaky wheel got oiled I guess
long post but stick up for yourself Here is the new link with pic of service order notice Dealership has been ordered to open star case to order drag link. ( Sent the Synergy one back ) Hope this helps you guys out
View attachment 112604 View attachment 112605

This is very interesting the
CSZHV061AA drag link number on your invoice is only S80.09 vs the $115ist for the other numbers.

 

[AH64ID]

The AB is what I have. AD was not available.

Allegedly AB is the same as the part within the recall.

The part number within the recall is not supposed to be order able as it’s for recall tracking.