Help with 5-star

[JJMiller]

After popping my 2nd clockspring last week, I scheduled an appointment with my local 5-star to get it replaced under the recall. (17,400 miles). They replaced my clockspring, and I drove away. I noticed that the steering wheel was no longer on center, but was about 10 to 15 degrees off. This happened last time I had the clock spring replaced, too. The dealership that did that one did an alignment under warranty which fixed the problem.



At the same time I was noticing that my steering wheel was off-center, my brake and ABS lights came on. They had been coming on intermittently for a while, but seemed to reset each time the truck was turned off for a minute or 2. Today, they just stayed on.



I brought the truck back to the dealership today (same day I picked it up from being "fixed"). They said that there was no way the steering could have been altered by replacing the clockspring (funny, it happened last time too... ). They further said no code had been set in the ECM (WTF????) so they just cleared the lights and said not to worry about it.



The most interesting part of the event was a conversation I overheard between two 5-star employees, one was apparently new:



"You just have to smile, be courteous, be thankful, and act like you give a s#^%"



"Just act like you give a s#^%?"



That's right. Because if you actually give a s#^%, you would have to become involved and care, and you don't want to do that. "



So, my questions:



(1) Are there any known causes/solutions why the steering would be thrown off by replacing the clockspring?

(2) Is there a TSB on the rear wheel speed sensor problem that these idiots have never heard of?

(3) Anyone know of an address I can write someone at DC to get the 5-star certification yanked from this dealer for not giving a s#^% and letting a customer hear about it?



Thanks,



--J

 

[MikeH]

I read the TSB on the clockspring replacement and the procedure in the factory service manual. They have to pull the steering wheel to replace it (the clockspring). So if they are not paying attention it's very easy to put the wheel back on misaligned. I would take it back and introduce myself to the dealership general manager. They should make it right. My clockspring is making lots of noise. It's out of warranty and my local 5 star says it's not covered under the extended warranty I foolishly paid a fortune for. They want $637 to change it. Needless to say, I can endure lots of noise before I fall for that deal.



Good luck with your 5 star. MikeH

 

[JJMiller]

They told me that there was a keyway on the steering wheel and a key on the shaft so that there was no way the steering wheel could have been put on misaligned. This makes intuitive sense--but it obviously isn't perfect.



I'll try being nice first, I guess



--J

 

[nps]

Don't know about the keyway - all others I've ever seen are splined because a key would only allow one position - a real limitation on a position-sensitive application like a steering wheel. So I suspect it is more BS to make you think they care as you go away.



Who financed the truck, if anybody. If it is Chrysler Financial get them involved. Let them make the intro to the manager at the dealer. After all they too have a vested financial interest in your truck. Just tell them if they don't help - you won't pay.



Look at www.dodgeram.org for all the TSBs.

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by JJMiller

After popping my 2nd clockspring last week, I scheduled an appointment with my local 5-star to get it replaced under the recall. (17,400 miles). They replaced my clockspring, and I drove away. I noticed that the steering wheel was no longer on center, but was about 10 to 15 degrees off. This happened last time I had the clock spring replaced, too. The dealership that did that one did an alignment under warranty which fixed the problem.



At the same time I was noticing that my steering wheel was off-center, my brake and ABS lights came on. They had been coming on intermittently for a while, but seemed to reset each time the truck was turned off for a minute or 2. Today, they just stayed on.



I brought the truck back to the dealership today (same day I picked it up from being "fixed"). They said that there was no way the steering could have been altered by replacing the clockspring (funny, it happened last time too... ). They further said no code had been set in the ECM (WTF????) so they just cleared the lights and said not to worry about it.



The most interesting part of the event was a conversation I overheard between two 5-star employees, one was apparently new:



"You just have to smile, be courteous, be thankful, and act like you give a s#^%"



"Just act like you give a s#^%?"



That's right. Because if you actually give a s#^%, you would have to become involved and care, and you don't want to do that. "



So, my questions:



(1) Are there any known causes/solutions why the steering would be thrown off by replacing the clockspring?

(2) Is there a TSB on the rear wheel speed sensor problem that these idiots have never heard of?

(3) Anyone know of an address I can write someone at DC to get the 5-star certification yanked from this dealer for not giving a s#^% and letting a customer hear about it?



Thanks,



--J

1 . wheels were turned when steering wheel put back on . 2. Yes 3. call 5star ask for phone #of zone rep , that should get some action or the phone # any way. 3. complain in writing to local BBB. Then to the top guy Mr shremp at Dalmar /Christler thats one way of getting some action . LOL Ron in Louisville KY