V06 drag link recall

[PeteChapman]

I have a 2014 3500 that got the drag link "fix" of welding the jam nuts. I want to replace this part so I can get an alignment. Does anyone make an updated part? Don't want to replace with stock one. Drag link assemblies go for around $500. Talked to dealer and they won't touch it. There is a web site that says they will reimburse you for the repair. Have not talked to them yet.

 

[06 Dodge]

I have a 2014 3500 that got the drag link "fix" of welding the jam nuts. I want to replace this part so I can get an alignment. Does anyone make an updated part? Don't want to replace with stock one. Drag link assemblies go for around $500. Talked to dealer and they won't touch it. There is a web site that says they will reimburse you for the repair. Have not talked to them yet.

I have read of several owners getting Ram to pay for a new one with the help of the people with Ram Care

 

[AH64ID]

I have a 2014 3500 that got the drag link "fix" of welding the jam nuts. I want to replace this part so I can get an alignment. Does anyone make an updated part? Don't want to replace with stock one. Drag link assemblies go for around $500. Talked to dealer and they won't touch it. There is a web site that says they will reimburse you for the repair. Have not talked to them yet.

Why don’t you want to go with the stock one?

The replacement drag link is a good unit, and not expensive.

When this recall was a hot topic there were many complaints about the aftermarket drag links.

68338342AD is the current Mopar part number.

I have read of several owners getting Ram to pay for a new one with the help of the people with Ram Care

Since the drag link has been welded the recall has been complied with, so getting Ram to fund a replacement drag link is doubtful. They would only reimburse the initial repair, which they did for me when I bought the upgraded part and installed it myself.

 

[06 Dodge]

Why don’t you want to go with the stock one?

The replacement drag link is a good unit, and not expensive.

When this recall was a hot topic there were many complaints about the aftermarket drag links.

68338342AD is the current Mopar part number.



Since the drag link has been welded the recall has been complied with, so getting Ram to fund a replacement drag link is doubtful. They would only reimburse the initial repair, which they did for me when I bought the upgraded part and installed it myself.

IIRC the reason they got it replaced for free was the fact they can't get it aligned with it being welded, no shop was willing to touch it due to the weld, they could not get an alinement without a new drag link...

 

[AH64ID]

IIRC the reason they got it replaced for free was the fact they can't get it aligned with it being welded, no shop was willing to touch it due to the weld, they could not get an alinement without a new drag link...

The only time seen anyone get it done for free was in a the initial repair, but maybe that’s changed.

The welded drag link only affects steering wheel center, so you can still adjust toe and caster.

It was a stupid fix, and I’m still amazed Ram was allowed to do it that way.

 

[PeteChapman]

Why don’t you want to go with the stock one?

The replacement drag link is a good unit, and not expensive.

When this recall was a hot topic there were many complaints about the aftermarket drag links.

68338342AD is the current Mopar part number.



Since the drag link has been welded the recall has been complied with, so getting Ram to fund a replacement drag link is doubtful. They would only reimburse the initial repair, which they did for me when I bought the upgraded part and installed it myself.

So this is an upgraded part? Will check into it. Just don't want to have to do the weld it thing again.

 

[PeteChapman]

So this is an upgraded part? Will check into it. Just don't want to have to do the weld it thing again.

This part costs $382.59. Better find out if I'm getting reimbursed before buying.

 

[Ozymandias]

The weld was just a temporary fix until the upgrade part was available. How many years ago was that?

 

[AH64ID]

The weld was just a temporary fix until the upgrade part was available. How many years ago was that?

I understood the weld as a temporary fix as internet folklore. When I researched it more I found it was their permanent fix. I was never able to find anything official about a temporary fix.

 

[kthaxton]

The weld was just a temporary fix until the upgrade part was available. How many years ago was that?

They certainly never told me about that or contacted me since it was welded.

 

[Ozymandias]

So, question, if a customer shows up today with the recall - they would still weld it instead of replace it?
I had the impression that this welding procedure was superceded.

 

[Cummins2014]

They certainly never told me about that or contacted me since it was welded.

And they won't . I contacted Ramcares , and got it replaced . Ramcares took care of the whole process , contacting the dealer of my choice etc etc . There was a lengthy thread on another forum ,and yes they helped get the welded ones replaced as well . I refused to let them weld mine ,and they tried nearly every time on other recalls , told them no welding . The initial recall was just checking for tightness ,that was as far as I let them with my truck . Kept an eye on it for any issues until I started hearing the new replacement . It's been about four months or so since mine was replaced on my 2014 3500 .

 

[Cummins2014]

I have a 2014 3500 that got the drag link "fix" of welding the jam nuts. I want to replace this part so I can get an alignment. Does anyone make an updated part? Don't want to replace with stock one. Drag link assemblies go for around $500. Talked to dealer and they won't touch it. There is a web site that says they will reimburse you for the repair. Have not talked to them yet.

Forget the dealer , just contact Ramcares ,they will take care of it . Try this number 866-932-3878

 

[SnoKing]

I ordered the new style back before they doubled the price. I installed it myself and applied for RAM to for a refund.
Link two nuts and shipping ended up being $141. They would not pay for the shipping from a RAM dealer in Florida. It took a little effort on my part to get them to clear the recall from the vin. I finally recycled the OEM last summer.

 

[Cummins12V98]

They replaced mine under warrant, they said it was bad. I'm thinking they did it because they screwed up my trans.

 

[Tuesdak]

IIRC the reason they got it replaced for free was the fact they can't get it aligned with it being welded, no shop was willing to touch it due to the weld, they could not get an alinement without a new drag link...

FCA took the dealer's ability away to "Solve this problem." back in the day. You have to contact RAM because the dealer can't do anything with it. Again ask RAM for the better fix.

In another thread I made a dealer do an alignment via the RAM helpline. AKA the number in the Owners manual. I thought they were installing the updated part. They cut the welds and replaced the welded parts with new nuts instead.

I later got a different recall number notice over the 'old style nuts' being used.

I finally got RAM to authorize the updated part. The dealer can't do it unless it fails inspection.

I spent way too much time dealing with radial pull as the selling dealer refused to do an alignment as there wasn't a procedure in place, or they couldn't find it. The alignment procedure, last I looked, is cut the welds and replace the parts that were welded... And weld the new parts back up!

 

[Ozymandias]

Oh boy, they really screw up big time.

 

[sag2]

I have a 2014 3500 that got the drag link "fix" of welding the jam nuts. I want to replace this part so I can get an alignment. Does anyone make an updated part? Don't want to replace with stock one. Drag link assemblies go for around $500. Talked to dealer and they won't touch it. There is a web site that says they will reimburse you for the repair. Have not talked to them yet.

Just grind the welds off and have your shop do the alignment as usual. They either have them weld it back, or just leave it as is. Most of the weld photos I saw posted looked pretty awful so it would probably take five minutes with an angle grinder to do it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I like my "JB Weld" job.

 

[crazy jerry]

I like my "JB Weld" job.

View attachment 137760

employees at a dealer dont know anything about welding so what do you expect. about 1/4" of good weld on only one of the flats would be more than plenty to keeps the nuts in place. then again if the nuts are torqed they shouldnt need any weld in the first place