Drag link weld question (sorry!)

[Grumpy8811]

Early on there was a thread on one of these diesel forums ,where that drag link came undone, and the steering was lost , I believe the one I saw was when they were actually pulling into a driveway , and it come apart when turning sharp ,they got lucky . There were pictures posted .

that is quite possible.. there are only 2 things that absolutely have to function on a vehicle for a person to bring it safely to a stop , the steering and the brakes. everything else that has issues is generally an inconvenience..

We broke a drag link at my job on a Ram 5500... but the bonehead driving hit a curb at hi speed so hard the steering wasn't the only thing affected when he crashed the truck...

 

[Cummins2014]

I did all the reading I was going to do when I got the first recall... went under the truck with two big wrenches and checked it myself. I'm a firm believer in Caveat Emptor.. if I wasn't the six open recalls might be be performed. They are basically much ado about nothing .

the shift thing, the water pump thing, the tailgate latch, the drag link, the lug nuts.. spare me..
as far as the emissions recall, that stuff went the way of the passenger pigeon when the DEF pump failed and it wasn't covered under warranty..

Not a problem , you do what whatever you think is right . I will do the same . Two big wrenches ?????? To each his own .

Here is how it works about much ado about nothing , for you it works , for some not inclined to be aware of the potential problem ,and lets be honest that drag link comes undone going down the freeway ,things get pretty messy . And yes there were drag links that came undone , reason for the "RECALL" .

 

[Cummins2014]

that is quite possible.. there are only 2 things that absolutely have to function on a vehicle for a person to bring it safely to a stop , the steering and the brakes. everything else that has issues is generally an inconvenience..

We broke a drag link at my job on a Ram 5500... but the bonehead driving hit a curb at hi speed so hard the steering wasn't the only thing affected when he crashed the truck...

View attachment 142763

Hi speed crashes ,there is a lot of stuff getting broke that are vital to the operation of a vehicle. Yes ,we all know those brakes ,and steering are pretty vital .

 

[Grumpy8811]

Not a problem , you do what whatever you think is right . I will do the same . Two big wrenches ?????? To each his own .

Here is how it works about much ado about nothing , for you it works , for some not inclined to be aware of the potential problem ,and lets be honest that drag link comes undone going down the freeway ,things get pretty messy . And yes there were drag links that came undone , reason for the "RECALL" .

lets face it, many of the members of this forum are uncomfortable trusting their own judgement when it comes to vehicle mechanics...
so the best thing for them is to take it to a professional or at least somewhere that will take the blame.

 

[AMink]

As I said upstream, I have more time than money. I did take it to another dealer per Ram Cares suggestion. It didn't even go into the bay before the service guy told me if it was welded they couldn't do a complete-to-spec alignment. So now I've been to two Ram dealers who have confirmed that, with the weld, it can't be aligned correctly. I shot a message back to Ram Cares and am awaiting their response.

The service guy also told me of a new program FCA has, a grid (can't remember the whole name) program, that may allow for assistance with ONE and ONLY ONE problem for original owners. I hate to waste that on a drag link when the engine or transmission could tank. I'd rather keep that in my pocket.

They wanted $1k + to install new drag link, then service writer said wait a minute, I can do this under the prior recall. They installed new drag link and completed the alignment under the recall at no cost to me and no harassment necessary. Surprised to hear of your troubles, compared to my experience.

What dealer was this and how?

 

[Cummins2014]

As I said upstream, I have more time than money. I did take it to another dealer per Ram Cares suggestion. It didn't even go into the bay before the service guy told me if it was welded they couldn't do a complete-to-spec alignment. So now I've been to two Ram dealers who have confirmed that, with the weld, it can't be aligned correctly. I shot a message back to Ram Cares and am awaiting their response.

The service guy also told me of a new program FCA has, a grid (can't remember the whole name) program, that may allow for assistance with ONE and ONLY ONE problem for original owners. I hate to waste that on a drag link when the engine or transmission could tank. I'd rather keep that in my pocket.

What dealer was this and how?

Get on Geno’s , and get the Dorman replacement drag link sleeve , it’s like $68 . Grind the welds off those nuts , and replace the entire sleeve , and those welded nuts , and be done . Then you can do whatever alignment you need . That sleeve would be a simple DIY project.

 

[jrragni]

Had the drag link recall done on my 2017. They welded the nut. But when I had new tires put on , it couldn't be aligned because of the welded nut. Took it to the dealer and told them to align it. They put in a claim to RAM and a new drag link was approved at not cost to me. They installed the new drag link and they aligned it free of charge.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Had the drag link recall done on my 2017. They welded the nut. But when I had new tires put on , it couldn't be aligned because of the welded nut. Took it to the dealer and told them to align it. They put in a claim to RAM and a new drag link was approved at not cost to me. They installed the new drag link and they aligned it free of charge.

Only issue with the dealer doing the alignment is the spec has too much toe and you will have “stepping” on outside edges of front tires.

 

[Cummins2014]

Only issue with the dealer doing the alignment is the spec has too much toe and you will have “stepping” on outside edges of front tires.

Yup ,took mine to a trusted alignment shop ,they already knew about the Thuren specs ,and got it done right .

 

[dfb]

I had the order a new drag link, they installed it, no charge.

 

[Cummins2014]

I had the order a new drag link, they installed it, no charge.

It appears to me some have had success with Ramcares while others have not . I appears the cost of the drag link is on you , what is the price tag now $300-400 ???

 

[AMink]

UPDATE:
I had been in touch with RamCare via Facebook PM as that gives a record of the discussion. My case was to be assigned to someone who could apparently make a decision and get back to me in 1-3 work days. A week later I contacted the PM person and asked that someone please contact me as 1-3 days had gone by with no contact via phone, text, or email. Well, I was at a ski demo day with my helmet on when the phone rang. I missed the first call but caught the second. In getting to a spot where I could hear the person on the other end the call was lost. Shortly thereafter I received a PM saying after several (since when is 2 several?) attempts to contact me failed my case had been closed. So now we start over. Again. Obviously, as I said before, RamCares doesn't care and there's really no one to contact directly. Customer care is right up there with AT&T, Verizon, and Dish Network.

 

[AMink]

I WON! Finally, after months, I got the new drag link installed and the reimbursement check is in the bank. What an ordeal! I've dealt with some pretty lousy customer service over the years but FCA may take the cake.

I recall reading on here somewhere about better alignment settings than factory. What are they?

 

[Diesel85]

Patience pays off!

It's called the Thuren spec for the alternate alignment settings.

 

[Silver Tex]

Well the OP never answered. I talked to a technician friend and he indicated that just as I mentioned, the toe can be set using the new procedure for a welded drag link, but steering wheel can no longer be centered. He said when they can set the toe, but not center the steering wheel, they have never been denied replacing the drag link. He said they have done quite a few, and they are a pretty large dealer. He also said that he had never heard of a customer calling the call center requesting a replacement being refused as long as they had an invoice indicating the alignment cannot be properly completed. So sounds like you may need a new dealer.

Getting new tires today. Have the welded drag link. Is it best to take to dealer for alignment and see if it will be replaced? Can someone provide the part number on the new drag link and the Thuren spec? Also, have not had the 67A done yet, seems like a nothing burger now after all the hoopla? Is this the general consensus?

Thanks,
Scott.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I WON! Finally, after months, I got the new drag link installed and the reimbursement check is in the bank. What an ordeal! I've dealt with some pretty lousy customer service over the years but FCA may take the cake.

I recall reading on here somewhere about better alignment settings than factory. What are they?

Set the toe to 1/64” that’s it!

 

[Ozymandias]

I heard this before... Is this common in America to have an alignment with a tire change? What is this good for?

 

[JR]

I heard this before... Is this common in America to have an alignment with a tire change? What is this good for?

I've often wondered the same. Of the 3 vehicles I currently own, 110k miles, 145k miles, 188k miles, I've never had an alignment done on any.

 

[Diesel85]

I've often wondered the same. Of the 3 vehicles I currently own, 110k miles, 145k miles, 188k miles, I've never had an alignment done on any.

Depends on where you live with the roads.

Where I live, roads chew up alignments and suspension components.

Tires are expensive too.

 

[Cummins12V98]

RAM sets the toe to 1/4”. It causes “stepping” on the outer edge of the front tires.