New safety recall???

[DieselFiend]

It sounds like a pretty serious recall, hence the statement "fail without warning causing a crash". Wierd that they would take their time getting it out.

 

[MillerR]

Sorry, I'm still a bit confused. "If nothing has been touched... " and "upgraded steering linkage" are new to me. I have an '03 with stock steering parts, except for the lift parts. Does this mean I'm not affected because I didn't have the "upgrade" done? What upgrade??? Thanks, Trey

 

[Jeepr]

Well, this is a very difficult decision for me. My truck as the Kore lift. Thus, anything with the steering stabilizer is irrelevant, as mine is replaced by the one from Kore. I've never had anything done, so I should have the original drag link.



My "friendly" dealer is one of the ones being cut, and I just called and they said they can't do anymore warranty work.



So, I can take out the Bullydog. But, other dealers might turn me away the minute they see it is lifted (even though it doesn't affect the steering components other than the stabilizer). And, I can't take out the DTT Shift enhanser. Thus, do I risk some dealer that doesn't know me black flagging me or at least turning me away because of the lift, for a recall that might turn out to be nothing for me?



Anyone know if there is a part number of something that I can look at the drag link to see if it would be replaced?

 

[seafish]

Sorry, I'm still a bit confused. "If nothing has been touched... " and "upgraded steering linkage" are new to me. I have an '03 with stock steering parts, except for the lift parts. Does this mean I'm not affected because I didn't have the "upgrade" done? What upgrade??? Thanks, Trey

That's correct--if you drive an 07 or older and have the oem/stock steering components which came on the truck when you bought it, they will simply verify that and send you on your way.

 

[sag2]

Ran my vin and it's in there. Guess I'll be calling the dealership tomorrow to make an appointment. Recall was dated 04/27/09 and I never knew about it until TDR.



I LOVE TDR!!! A wonderful resource!

The recall launched to dealers about 4/21, was revised about 4/29, then put on hold with all VIN's pulled from DealerConnect about 5/4. Customer letters were scheduled to go out the week of 5/5 so that is why no one was notified early. Apparently once inspections started they ran into part combination's they had not expected. Once all the bugs were worked out they release it again. The bottom line is if you have NOT had front steering parts replaced either warranty or customer pay, they inspect and send you on your way.

 

[Bob4x4]

Well, this is a very difficult decision for me. My truck as the Kore lift. Thus, anything with the steering stabilizer is irrelevant, as mine is replaced by the one from Kore. I've never had anything done, so I should have the original drag link.



My "friendly" dealer is one of the ones being cut, and I just called and they said they can't do anymore warranty work.



So, I can take out the Bullydog. But, other dealers might turn me away the minute they see it is lifted (even though it doesn't affect the steering components other than the stabilizer). And, I can't take out the DTT Shift enhanser. Thus, do I risk some dealer that doesn't know me black flagging me or at least turning me away because of the lift, for a recall that might turn out to be nothing for me?



Anyone know if there is a part number of something that I can look at the drag link to see if it would be replaced?

No worries,if you have not changed the steering linkage they just take a quick peek in the driveway,note that you have been inspected and send you on your way.

BTW the kore kit does change angles in the steering and moves the axle off ctr unless you have a different trac bar

 

[AlaskanCummins]

Went by today and they just verified that I had the tie-rod with the steering stabilizer hole in it; NOT the one with the stablizer bracket. They said hardly any of the trucks showing up have the problem parts.



Performed the check in the parking lot. Filled out the paperwork, I signed for a copy and went about my day.



Wayne

 

[Bob4x4]

During a prior service appointment, a Mopar service parts steering linkage was

installed on about 19,400 of the above vehicles.

 

[JBonpua]

Went by today and they just verified that I had the tie-rod with the steering stabilizer hole in it; NOT the one with the stablizer bracket. They said hardly any of the trucks showing up have the problem parts.



Performed the check in the parking lot. Filled out the paperwork, I signed for a copy and went about my day.



Wayne

Exactly! Took mine in today and they showed me what is being inspected for the recall. Like AlaskanCummins already metioned if you have the steering stabalizer that is bolted with one bolt through the middle then you are GTG but is you have one that is held by a clamp then it is due further inspection. I spent more time with the service writer talking about all the goodies on the underside of my truck from the Mag-Hytec, steering bracket and my ATP oil pan acoustic blanket. Something told me he knew I had somekind of performance gadget from all the gauges I had but I already removed the Smarty the night before just in case. :-laf

 

[Jeepr]

Thanks. I'll probably just skip it, but might run by a dealer just to get it cleared from the system. When I checked my VIN, it still shows the STUPID out of park alarm one open too, but unfortunately I have had that done.

 

[DieselFiend]

A month prior to my steering linkage inspections, I had some warranty work done at another dealer and they told me my tie rods were going bad. Quoted me $700 for replacement. At my steering linkage inspection the tech said everything in the steering system was inspected and worked fine. I asked him how the tie rods looked, and he said they looked fine. This is why I don't trust dealers.

 

[Bob4x4]

The recall inspection has NOTHING to do with wear. If you have the original style linkage there is no further inspection done. If you have doubts on the integrity of your steering linkage have some one turn the wheel back and forth while you are under it watching for play.

 

[Bob4x4]

If you were in my neck of the woods I would have no problem taking a peek at it

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Mike, you just enter the last 8 digits/ letters of your VIN, not the whole number... . like I did till I read the fine print ! Whats been going on back there?

Yup, ran the last 8 only. Just did it again and says the same, invalid VIN.



Oh, same old same old. They got us workin' like 17th century plantation workers. Been HOT here lately, hit 80* and I'm sweating something aweful. Took the VW out of storage a couple weeks ago. I forgot how much fun it is to drive that car.



Anything new with you?

 

[MMeier]

Same ol, same ol here also. Gave up the transport deal... for the most part... last summer and went to work for the county. Thanks to one of my co workers , I've been on administrative leave the past 5 weeks, with pay, see what happens. Been moving some cars and RV's locally for a buddy of mine here, thats about it. Have 2 points races here this weekend.

 

[DonCurley]

Well, I saw from a thread on a different Dodge board that the H46 recall for '08-'09 Dodge Rams apparently started clear back in the January time frame, but for me, the first I heard about it was when I got the safety recall notice in the mail last week from Chrysler for "H46 - Mopar Steering Linkage". Although it's been quoted before in this thread, here is the basic text on the recall notice I received:



"Chrysler has decided that a defect, which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in some 2003 through 2009 model year Dodge trucks. The problem is ... during a prior service appointment, a Mopar service parts steering linkage may have been installed on your truck. The drag link inner joint may fracture under certain driving conditions. This could result in a loss of steering control and cause a crash without warning. Also, the steering damper bracket at the tie rod tube may loosen. This could allow the bracket to slide on the tube and may cause increased vehicle turning radius. "



When I first read the above, I thought it was a totally weird statement that, "during a prior service appointment, a Mopar service parts steering linkage may have been installed on your truck". I was sure this had not happened, and beyond that, what dealership would install parts on a truck that were neither requested or part of a recall or TSB (and would then not tell the owner about it)?? That made no sense to me. I also knew that my steering damper was connected to the tie rod with a conical stud or pin, and not a bracket.



Nevertheless, I didn't want to take any chances and made an appointment with my nearest Dodge dealership for this morning. Keep in mind that my nearest dealer is a 4 hour round trip from my remote location. When I show up, the service manager walks out to my '07 Dodge 3500, looks at my steering linkage set-up and says, "You're good to go. You have the "older" tie rod & drag link set-up, as well as the stud mounted steering damper, so you'll have no problems". He further mentioned that it was the newer set-up that was giving Dodge and some owners problems that the recall was aimed at. When I pointed out that 4 hours of driving was a pretty long way to come for what amounted to a 1 minute inspection to determine that my 3500 was not subject to the recall, the service manager said maybe they could have let me know over the phone what to look for to save me the trip. In any regard, he ended up showing me another Dodge Ram on their lot (it was either an '08 or an '09), with the problem set-up.



Anyway, here's a shot of my steering linkage (before I installed a Defiant/Radflo steering damper in place of the stock damper):

#ad




Now here's a shot of the newer steering linkage that the recall was all about (which, BTW, looks like a much cheaper set-up IMO):

#ad




If anyone else gets this recall notice, you might want to check out your own steering linkage to save yourself some time and hassle if you have the older set-up.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have been talking about this recall on this and I think every other diesel forum out there but I guess some people still missed it :-laf

 

[revflyr]

Had mine done last week.

I was in for my first oil change last week, when they told me about the recall. They told me that the 2009's only needed the bolts replaced. It took app. 1hr.

 

[steved]

Well, I got the same recall in the mail this week... here's my take on this "recall"...



Dodge knows exactly which trucks have had work done to the suspension/steering... they could query that as easy as your dodge dealer does. IMHO, they are using this to "blanket" all the dodge trucks to get them into any of the shops... and while you may not have any issues with the steering, it gives them opportunity to "suggest" other services ("Mr. Johns, your steering linkage is fine, but according to our records your rear differential hasn't been serviced in a while... ").



They know full well my truck has NEVER had any suspension/steering work done to it by them... but I got a recall for it?? They are desperate...



I have most likely bought my last Dodge product, especially after the shady dealings I recently had with the local dealer. My family and I have been a loyal Dodge owner since the late 60s... never again.

 

[Bob4x4]

Well, I got the same recall in the mail this week... here's my take on this "recall"...



Dodge knows exactly which trucks have had work done to the suspension/steering... they could query that as easy as your dodge dealer does. IMHO, they are using this to "blanket" all the dodge trucks to get them into any of the shops... and while you may not have any issues with the steering, it gives them opportunity to "suggest" other services ("Mr. Johns, your steering linkage is fine, but according to our records your rear differential hasn't been serviced in a while... ").



They know full well my truck has NEVER had any suspension/steering work done to it by them... but I got a recall for it?? They are desperate...



I have most likely bought my last Dodge product, especially after the shady dealings I recently had with the local dealer. My family and I have been a loyal Dodge owner since the late 60s... never again.

:-laf:-laf:-laf You are way off base.

There were many upgraded steering linkages sold over the counter. Those are the ones that coporate could not acount for. They stepped up and did the right thing. The only way they could be sure to catch any that may fall through the cracks.

I am personally offended by your insinuations. You're jumping to the wrong conclusions again :-{}





Bob