How to get FCA to pay for updated drag link?

[toot7778]

I have a couple questions about the V06 drag link weld recall. I bought my 2016 Ram 3500 new and the V06 recall, i.e. weld, has not yet been done (I continually check tightness and position, nothing has moved). My dealer told me over a year ago that next time the truck is in their service department, they WILL do the recall, i.e. weld. They also told me that every truck they have checked has required welding and that they have not had to replace any drag links.


Question 1): Is it a sure thing that I can get reimbursed if I purchase the updated FCA replacement drag link? Under what conditions, and what is the process, for me to get FCA to reimburse me if I purchase the updated style drag link? When and if mine ever does get welded, I will replace it with the updated or Synergy parts anyway. It would be nice to get it paid for (seeing as how I am only doing it because of their “fix”). The independent shops that I would use to do any front end work have both told me that they will not re-use a drag link after they have to cut welds, and I agree.


Question 2): Has anyone tried to see how much torque it does take to strip the threads on an original unwelded drag link nut that has previously remained tight? What would happen if I tried to find this out on mine just before taking it in the dealer for the recall inspection? Would this guarantee that the drag link would get replaced under the recall? Which drag link nut (driver left/driver right) has been most likely to loosen and fail?

 

[lpennock]

When and if mine ever does get welded, I will replace it with the updated or Synergy parts anyway.

Why? As long as the alignment is correct there is no need to replace until it needs to be adjusted for some reason.

 

[toot7778]

To answer the why question, I am a retired mechanical engineer. I spent my entire career trying to do what was “right”, and not just settle for the quickest, easiest, and cheapest. I fully understand that “right” must be a compromise of what an idealist engineer would like to do and what other constraints exist from financial and marketing interests. Welding an adjustable link is not “right”, it is a cheap fix that annoys people like me. In 50 years of owning vehicles, I have never owned a vehicle* where the front-end alignment was not adjusted at some time. And rather than continue to be annoyed by this, I will probably get over it by replacing it with what I consider to be more “right”. Time will tell how this will affect me when I purchase my next truck or vehicle. Ford and GM have both annoyed me in the past too. However, FCA has annoying me on both of my first two ever Chrysler vehicles.


* Note: this may not include several new vehicles than I owned for less than a couple of years

 

[DavidC]

To answer the why question, I am a retired mechanical engineer. I spent my entire career trying to do what was “right”, and not just settle for the quickest, easiest, and cheapest. I fully understand that “right” must be a compromise of what an idealist engineer would like to do and what other constraints exist from financial and marketing interests. Welding an adjustable link is not “right”, it is a cheap fix that annoys people like me. In 50 years of owning vehicles, I have never owned a vehicle* where the front-end alignment was not adjusted at some time. And rather than continue to be annoyed by this, I will probably get over it by replacing it with what I consider to be more “right”. Time will tell how this will affect me when I purchase my next truck or vehicle. Ford and GM have both annoyed me in the past too. However, FCA has annoying me on both of my first two ever Chrysler vehicles.


* Note: this may not include several new vehicles than I owned for less than a couple of years

I totally agree. You should not have to start patching factory defects.

 

[AH64ID]

I got FCA reimbursed, and so did a friend of mine (thou he didn't get reimbursed for his alignment).

Mine was easy, I submitted the paperwork and got a check. He had to answer a few questions and it took a little longer, but he got his check.

 

[DonFitzwater]

To answer the why question, I am a retired mechanical engineer. I spent my entire career trying to do what was “right”, and not just settle for the quickest, easiest, and cheapest. I fully understand that “right” must be a compromise of what an idealist engineer would like to do and what other constraints exist from financial and marketing interests. Welding an adjustable link is not “right”, it is a cheap fix that annoys people like me. In 50 years of owning vehicles, I have never owned a vehicle* where the front-end alignment was not adjusted at some time. And rather than continue to be annoyed by this, I will probably get over it by replacing it with what I consider to be more “right”. Time will tell how this will affect me when I purchase my next truck or vehicle. Ford and GM have both annoyed me in the past too. However, FCA has annoying me on both of my first two ever Chrysler vehicles.


* Note: this may not include several new vehicles than I owned for less than a couple of years

‘A retired mechanical engineer should have enough spare change lying around to simply pay for the upgrade and not worry about it.

 

[DavidC]

‘A retired mechanical engineer should have enough spare change lying around to simply pay for the upgrade and not worry about it.

But to some of us old fa*** the point is he bought a defective part and the manufacturer should make it right. Start letting things slide and who knows where it will go. Now if it was an older vehicle or bought used I would put the cash out for the repair/upgrade.

 

[lpennock]

To answer the why question, I am a retired mechanical engineer. I spent my entire career trying to do what was “right”, and not just settle for the quickest, easiest, and cheapest. I fully understand that “right” must be a compromise of what an idealist engineer would like to do and what other constraints exist from financial and marketing interests. Welding an adjustable link is not “right”, it is a cheap fix that annoys people like me. In 50 years of owning vehicles, I have never owned a vehicle* where the front-end alignment was not adjusted at some time. And rather than continue to be annoyed by this, I will probably get over it by replacing it with what I consider to be more “right”. Time will tell how this will affect me when I purchase my next truck or vehicle. Ford and GM have both annoyed me in the past too. However, FCA has annoying me on both of my first two ever Chrysler vehicles.


* Note: this may not include several new vehicles than I owned for less than a couple of years

I agree with you it is a crap fix. I fully appreciate the idea of doing the "correct" repair and trying to get them to pay for it. I just don't see the need to replace it immediately if you get stuck with the crap fix.

As an engineer you can understand future value of money and should understand that waiting to replace it until you need to replace it is the financial smarter thing to do even if you don't think it is the "right" fix or like it.

 

[Tuesdak]

I just don't see the need to replace it immediately

The longer one waits the further away from warranty or courtesy coverage you get. FCA can take a hard line that welding it is the fix. Parts are near impossible for my service department to obtain last I checked. Other ways to get the part, yes. Meanwhile FCA banks the money they would have used for a proper fix... Most value their money more than FCA's money, eh?

Hit a pothole (the kind that blows a tire) or other large furry road debris and suddenly need a major alignment perhaps as well as some parts replaced. There is a alignment procedure from FCA now to order the old parts that were welded and weld the new parts afterwards. Parts may take awhile to get with FCA's current record.

More concerning is the unanswered question of why it's failing in the first place. More dead bodies are going to have to pile up before this gets answered. One of our trucks experiencing this steering failure crossing the center line with an RV in tow hitting a School Bus may be what it takes. If the air bag and ignition switch cover-up have shown us how worthless our government in bed with the OEM's is...

Lastly it's been covered that some don't feel it's DOT legal to weld steering components.

 

[DonFitzwater]

But to some of us old fa*** the point is he bought a defective part and the manufacturer should make it right. Start letting things slide and who knows where it will go. Now if it was an older vehicle or bought used I would put the cash out for the repair/upgrade.

Oh I got that, let me know how it works out for you lads.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Just read about my “JB WELD” fix.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I'm a retired Information Technology Program Manager, but my degree is in Industrial Technology. FWIW, I believe the fix should be two step, first the weld as a safety fix, then full warranty replacement with front end alignment as the proper final solution.

It's a matter of what's right and wrong. No suspension or steering components should be welded when NOT performed as original manufacturing process.

That being said, if I were in this situation, I would first ask the dealer to replace it, then if not, escalate it to FCA, then if no joy, replace it myself, and send them a bill and follow the same process. With the bill I would, I would include a letter, with the issues, concerns, and potential future impact to business with FCA.

I'm about 99.9% sure my dealer would cover it even if FCA didn't, as I've purchased 4 new, 1 used Ram Cummins truck and a new Jeep Wrangler from them. To me, it's not about what I can afford, but what is right.

So, get the right fix and tie the outcome to future purchases decisions.

Cheers, Ron

 

[DavidC]

Funny you mention that Ron. I have owned Chrysler vehicles since 1972 and when the 53 block cracked shortly after the warranty ran out they basically told me to pound sand and pay for a new engine. Wrote a letter to corporate, fell on deaf ears. I then traded in the 02 Dakota in for a Toyota (still regretting that brand). Cummins came through with the repair tho.

 

[Wiredawg]

Funny you mention that Ron. I have owned Chrysler vehicles since 1972 and when the 53 block cracked shortly after the warranty ran out they basically told me to pound sand and pay for a new engine. Wrote a letter to corporate, fell on deaf ears. I then traded in the 02 Dakota in for a Toyota (still regretting that brand). Cummins came through with the repair tho.

Me too. My first vehicle was a used 1967 Dodge Polara, followed my many other Mopar vehicles. When it came to trucks, I chose Toyota Hilux, much better quality than anything made in America at the time. But when it came to buying a tow rig, I chose 2000 Ram 2500 6spd in 2000 as my tow monster, and been Ram Cummins since.

I was having the 2000 at Maryland dealer for warranty replacement of crankshaft sensor, when the service writer told me he could deny warranty on it due to mods to the truck. I told him I'm a lifetime Mopar owner/buyer, and that he could do what he had to do, but his decision would determine if I ever buy another Mopar product. He approved the repair without any horsey comments.

Cheers to Lifers, in more ways than one.

Ron

 

[Tuesdak]

I'm about 99.9% sure my dealer would cover it even if FCA didn't

My dealer would LOVE to do this for me: they refused to even do an alignment due to the welded parts. Even another dealer I visit for service that is brave enough to do an alignment would love to do this. They Can't Get The Parts From FCA! I even called FCA and they got me parts: the old parts to do the needed alignment. Now I have a "new" recall letter for those replacement parts.

FCA is just another OEM with the same "Go Pound Sand" Bean Counter American Attitude that leaves lots of room for other foreign OEM's to improve on. Until they get the same American Attitude...

 

[DavidC]

My dealer would LOVE to do this for me: they refused to even do an alignment due to the welded parts. Even another dealer I visit for service that is brave enough to do an alignment would love to do this. They Can't Get The Parts From FCA! I even called FCA and they got me parts: the old parts to do the needed alignment. Now I have a "new" recall letter for those replacement parts.

FCA is just another OEM with the same "Go Pound Sand" Bean Counter American Attitude that leaves lots of room for other foreign OEM's to improve on. Until they get the same American Attitude...

Toyota is like that also. The Wife's Sienna goes through tires every 20k. Been to alignment a few times even with Toyota. Did a search and even through 2018 there are complaints about this and the Wife's is a 05. The door pockets that keep the doors from opening to far had poor spot welds causing them to fail. The Wife's door pockets are laying in the bottom of the door like a Midway aircraft carrier. Toyota will not repair as it means a replacement door. Needless to say I have nothing good to say about Toyota. If they can't spot weld a door pocket what does that mean for the other spot welds.

 

[MtnRider]

To answer your question, No it is not a sure thing they will reimburse you. They initially were reimbursing when this first came out, but then it went to hit or miss, then to no.

With that said, FCA has been stepping up and replacing them lately. My best advise is to open a case with Ram Cares (dealer can't do much of anything about it) and tell them you are not okay with them welding an adjustable link and would like it replaced. I got mine replaced with the new drag link no charge 2 months ago. But, like everything right now parts can be hard to get because of manufacturing, raw material, and shipping delays due to Covid.

.

 

[sag2]

FYI there is a TSB with the proper toe adjust procedure with the welded linkage.

 

[lpennock]

FYI there is a TSB with the proper toe adjust procedure with the welded linkage.

Can you post it or at least the number for it?

 

[MtnRider]

Can you post it or at least the number for it?

The drag link has nothing to do with the toe adjustment, it just centers the steering wheel.

I've seen that procedure, it's a crock of crap. It tells you to turn the steering wheel until the right wheel is zeroed then adjust the left tie rod to zero the left wheel. If your steering wheel is not centered when the right wheel is zeroed there is no way to adjust it back and you end up driving with a off center steering wheel. Basically the TSB procedure takes the centering of the wheel portion out of the procedure.

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