Jones Junction, Belair, Md

[CMB]

Is, anyone familiar with the Jones Junction dealership in Belair, Maryland?

Unbelievable!

 

[spoon059]

Ummmm... is there more to this story?

 

[CMB]

Unbelievable-Help is greatly appreciated!

A few weeks back the CEL came on. I was hoping to post the TSB numbers that corrected the issue but I can't find them, never the less the truck needed the over lay harness for the O2 sensor. I believe bob4x4 has the info. I took it to the dealer, making the appointment was super easy and the registration set up was nice. Pull into a 2 lane drive through garage of sorts, one lane in and one lane out. The revolving door. When I picked the truck up I looked under the passenger side only to notice the new wiring harness was completely unsupported and hanging from them the frame rail. I pointed it out to the assistant (in a very nice manor) hoping to speak with a manager but they had all left for the evening. As I drove the truck away the steering didn't feel right. We pulled into Pepboys parking lot and noticed at low speed, under 5 miles an hour, when the steering wheel returns to center it jerks really hard. I don't feel anything at high speeds only while going slow. This is completely new. The steering has always been smooth and even. A few days later I drove the truck again only to realize how bothersome this is. I called the deal back and of course they said bring it in and we'll straighten it out.

When I arrived at the dealership the assistant checked me in and called a "Tech" to go for a ride with me so I could show him the problem. We drove around the parking lot and of course after a turn was made and while returning to center the steering wheel shook or jerked. The Tech asked to drive it. The first thing he did was turn the steering wheel all the way left. I have over sized tires and they rub on the lower control arm slightly. It had never been a problem. When it rubs I just back off a little. The sound of a whining power steering pump is like finger nails on a chalk board. He didn't back off, in fact he held the wheel while driving to over emphasize the rubbing. I told him I don't drive like that and the rubbing is not the issue here. The issue is when you return to center. His attitude grew. While driving across the parking lot he shifted the truck from drive into reverse while still moving. . Of course I asked why he did that and he just said he was checking something. At this point I'm fairly upset. He pulled into the registration area and said he was going to get his manager it test drive it. I waited 30 minutes or so, the truck never moved. Finally asking an assistant for help, she asked my name, looked me up in the computer and said "you're ready to go". I was so confuse. I demanded to speak with the manager (Ern...).
The assistant pointed to him and said he's busy right now. I walked over waiting to speak with him. The customer he was engaged with was in a new 1500 eco-diesel. I heard him say it was the fourth time he had his truck there because of the same CEL code. Something about low fuel pressure and apparently they changed everything but the fuel pump. I finally get the chance to speak with him so I introduced myself and asked him to explain the paper work I received. He said there is no way this problem was caused by anything that happened here. So we have a real mystery on our hands because it wasn't like this when I dropped it off. He said a new steering box was 700 dollars, the intermediate shaft was 300 and I would need to leave it for further evaluation. The next day I received a text saying the truck was ready. When I picked it up the assistant went over the paper work that said - from this point forward we need to part way. "No further business will be conducted at this facility" Yes, it said this on my paper work.

Needless to say the problem was not resolved. The steering still shakes when turning to center..

Could forcing the power steering pump cause damage to it? Could forcing the tire against the lower control arm damage a "U" joint or a ball joint? Should I investigate the steering gear box?

Has anyone else had this issue?

I really appreciate any suggestions to further troubleshoot the jerking steering wheel.

Thanks,

I'm sure there are some that still take pride in their work. It's quite impressive that this dealership services 750 vehicles a day but if this is the type of service you provide what good are you?

I will never understand the shifting from drive to reverse thing but while test driving my truck he mentioned he just bought a F-250.

I wrote this web address down and give it to the gentlemen with the 1500.

Thanks again for your in sight,
Chris

 

[sag2]

I'm not sure how they could damage the steering by doing the wiring overlay. It sounds like they replaced the gear and intermediate shaft for free? If they did you should consider yourself lucky that they did anything for you.
And to answer the question about the pump, holding it against the full lock position only heats up the fluid. If your tires hit before the full lock position there is no way the fluid could overheat. And you would have to hold it against the stop for a couple minutes to get the fluid hot enough to cause any damage. There are thousands of trucks out there with tires so big they contact the control arms and I have never run into one that damaged the steering.

 

[CMB]

Thanks for the reply and letting me vent.

Cheers!

 

[CMB]

I understand the harness had nothing to do with it but possibly the test drive(considering they left Burger King trash in the back of the truck) and forcing the steering one way or the other. Interestingly enough I greased the control arms and sprayed the U joints with penetrating oil just in case I need to replace them and the jerking of the wheel is considerably better. I just turned 60K sounds like that's about the life expectancy of the factory non-greaseable U joints.

Does anyone have the Spicer brand u joint? They make a serviceable unit that sounds reasonable. If anyone can share some input regarding front universal joints that would be great.

All in all its quite possible the above rant was all a coincidence but there is always something we can learn from a situation like this.

Thanks again sag2 for the input.