New steering kit recall

[pullya]

There is currently a recall on the new steering kit. It has not been determined if all the new kits are included or just some of the first ones manufactured. There is a chance that the AE part numbers are not included however more information should be available maybe tomorrow. If you have one and haven't installed it yet I think I would wait a few days till this gets cleared up. This information came from the other Dodge diesel site ie, dieseltruckresource.com



Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):

DODGE / RAM 2500 2008-2009

DODGE / RAM 3500 2008-2009

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER LLC Mfr's Report Date: JAN 06, 2009

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V005000 N/A NHTSA Action Number: N/A



Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Potential Number of Units Affected: 32865

Summary: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 32,865 MY 2008-2009 DODGE RAM 2500, 3500 AND 3500 CAB CHASSIS PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH POWERS AND SONS STEERING LINKAGE. THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD TO PITMAN ARM BALL STUD MAY FRACTURE. ALSO THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER ATTACHING THE BRACKET MAY YIELD AND SHIFT ON THE LINKAGE.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE RESTRICTED ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN ONE DIRECTION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY, AND INSPECT THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER BRACKET FREE CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Notes: CHRYSLER RECALL NO. H36. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://www.SAFERCAR.GOV .



Link: DODGE ( 09V005000 ) - US Recall News Alert



Also found this: http://www.aboutautomobile.com/Recal.../Ram/09E001000



It says "The part numbers of the affected assemblies is 52122362aa through 52122362ad"

 

[Matt400]

That last link doesn't work. Is that the link you found the part numbers listed?

Interesting Dodge doesn't specify the linkage kits many have bought and updated with in the recall, just the trucks.

 

[pullya]

When I first checked that last link yesterday it worked and it listed the part numbers affected however last night when I tried it it would work either. I went to the site later and went through all the pages on recalls and found the correct page and the part numbers were gone. I was hoping something new would be posted today. Also I have my parts guy checking into it. He could not find anything on the Dodge or Chy. web pages about the recall yesterday.

Jay

 

[pullya]

I just called the Chy. 800 number and spoke to Sara in INDIA. She said that the computer system was still down in Mich. (this is the second day) and she doesn't have any information on the recall.

Jay

 

[Matt400]

I have the updated steering and I shure in the heck don't want that ball stud to fracture... no connection from the box to linkage would be a bad thing.

 

[pullya]

Matt,

One question I have is, if you bought the kit yourself(no warranty) and installed it yourself or paid someone to install it for you, what obligation does Chy. have to replace the parts(free) for you if they were defective when you bought them?(The recall would in fact indicate they were defective. ) What about the labor costs you paid to have them installed and the alignment you probably did after the parts were installed. If the parts were under warranty I'm sure Dodge will replace the defective parts on their dime, but for the rest of us-----I wonder??????

Jay

 

[Matt400]

Well IMO if they sold me a defective part (over the counter) then they need to supply me with a good one.

I don't have any concern for the labor as I did the upgrade on my own dime but if that ball stud is suspect to fracture then- myself, family and others on the road are at risk untill its changed.

 

[Matt400]

My kit number is 52122362-AB.

I have sent an email to the 3 people listed at the bottom of this pdf file-

http://nhthqnwws111.odi.nhtsa.dot.g...is/Public/Recalls/2009/V/RCAK-09V005-6457.pdf



I suggest others do the same before somone is hurt. Below is a copy I sent:

We see a recall has been issued on 08/09 Dodge Rams for Powers & Sons linkage.

We need to know the affected part numbers because the Powers & Sons

linkage kits were put in use on 03-07 Dodge Rams through TSB#

22-005-06 where 03-07 Rams were updated to the 08/09 style of linkage.



We have kit #52122362-AB installed on an 05 model.

Thank you

 

[MickeyMiller]

Timing is everything! I have received the entire '08 steering linkage, with steering damper and pitman arm to retro-fit to my truck. Went to schedule the install last week when the mention of a recall started in this thread... "inner tie rod to pitman arm ball stud may fracture". . yipps!!!!



Following Matt's suggestion and calling the numbers tomorrow.



THX Matt!

 

[231jasonS]

Mickey, I saw your quote in the office the other day @ LCD and wanted Brett/Eric to make sure you new about this but i guess your on top of your game.

 

[MickeyMiller]

Jason, I have e-mailed MoparPartsAmerica to deterine the process to get non-defective replacement parts. Does anyone know, are there non-defective parts in the pipeline? The 'drag link inner tie rod to pitman arm ball stud may fracture'. . I take that to be the short piece between the adjuster and the pitman arm, is that right? So, only that stub piece and the steering damper mount are all that have to be replaced? Is there a way to identify the non-defective replacement parts? TIA... and thanks for this thread!!!

 

[pullya]

I talked to my part manager yesterday and he said he had called his zone manager for service and parts and the zone manager did not know anything about the recall. Also he said without a better description or some sort of picture of the exact parts he doesn't know exactly what they are talking about. To his knowledge there are no replacement parts, I guess because he didn't even know about the recall. The same AE parts number is still in his parts book and is still good. He said he is still checking. I haven't tried to call India yet today to see if the computer problem to Chy. is fixed yet.

Jay

 

[Matt400]

I have been spending some time on this issue and will share some of it. .



The email addresses in the pdf I linked to returned a responce to contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

So I called and was in touch with a fella in India who could not help me, always referd back to the VIN # which we all know will not help. I explained the TSB that updates 03-07's with the new linkage but got nothing.



I contacted NHTSA back about my coversation in India. The person there is Pat Wallace who is interested in what is going on. Here is what she wrote back-

We have been getting other complaints on this also. Our investigative

group will probably take a look at this. I'll let them know about the

problem you are having with the replacement parts.



Thank you for letting us know about this problem.



Pat Wallace

Recall Management Division

NHTSA/Enforcement/ODI, NVS-215

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE. , W46-425

Washington, DC 20590

202-366-5232 phone

202-366-7882 fax

-- email address removed --

Everyone who has the updated steering kit should express their concern to Pat in a short email or ph call. The more who write in the better chance we have for finding out if we are at risk.



I have also called Powers and Sons LLC ~ Steering Linkage and Suspension who builds the linkage for Chrysler. Their number is 419-485-3151 ext 252 for the quality department.

So far all I have been able to do is leave a voice msg for a call back and will keep trying.



At this point all I want to find out is what part numbers are affected and the replacement parts and or kit needed to order.

The original parts kit carries a 1 year warranty.

 

[MickeyMiller]

Jay and Matt, Thank you both.

I am also trying to get a response and I too reached out to Pat Wallace and Delia Lopez at the NHTSA on the retro fit to '03-'07 Ram 2500/3500's. I have been looking at the linkage (it's sitting on my workbench) and find it hard to believe that it will 'fracture', these things are beefy!... must be a metallurgy issue. The damper bracket does look a little flakey though, I can see how the damper stud could be bent.

 

[Matt400]

Jay... maybe this was the page you saw-

2006 Dodge Ram Safety Recall



States the part numbers, I am printing that page before it goes away.

Maybe the guy in India should read this link.



It looks like the dealer will do the labor on the 03-07's based on that link, in fact they may have to in order to get the replacement tie rod end at no cost since this is a safety recall.



edit Another link better yet. .

Go here ODI - Office of Defects Investigation and then plug this number 09E001000 into the search box.

Then you can click "print version" and print a copy for your Dealer so they can order parts.

Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)



Recalls - Search Results

1 Record(s) Displayed.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Report Date : January 28, 2009 at 05:53 PM

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09E001000





Equipment Brand Name / Part No. or Model No. : Production Dates:

CHRYSLER / STEERING LINKAGE Information not Available

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):

DODGE / RAM 2003-2008



Manufacturer: CHRYSLER LLC Mfr's Report Date: JAN 06, 2009

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09E001000 N/A

NHTSA Action Number: N/A



Component: STEERING:LINKAGES

Potential Number of Units Affected: 18000

Summary:

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 18,000 AFTERMARKET STEERING LINKAGES USED FOR SERVICE ON SOME MY 2003 THROUGH 2008 DODGE RAM HEAVY DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. THE SUBJECT LINKAGES MAY EXPERIENCE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD TO PITMAN ARM BALL STUD FRACTURE, ALSO, THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER ATTACHING BRACKET MAY YEILD AND SHIFT ON THE LINKAGE. THE PART NUMBERS OF THE AFFECTED ASSEMBLIES IS 52122362AA THROUGH 52122362AD.

Consequence:

THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE RESTRICTED ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE IN ONE DIRECTION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING LINKAGE DRAG LINK INNER TIE ROD END ASSEMBLY, AND INSPECT THE STEERING LINKAGE DAMPER BRACKET FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Notes:

CHRYSLER RECALL NO. H36. CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://www.SAFERCAR.GOV .

edait again. . This is too new for the dealers, they don't know about it yet so... keep it in your lane if you can

 

[pullya]

Matt,

Thanks for the detailed follow-up information. If the part numbers are correct, then the recall does not effect me as I have the AE steering kit. Having said that, I will still do anything that I can to help furnish information to try to help others. If you need anything from me please let me know. I am still hoping to hear from my parts manager when he receives any updated information. I will also contact Patrica and voice my concern about Chy. inability to transmit this information to their dealers in a timely manner.

Jay

 

[Matt400]

Thanks a bunch Jay for posting about this. Its the sort of thing that can save a life when talking about that component.

 

[MickeyMiller]

I was a little slow on the uptake, should have paid closer attention to the part number!... here is the response I got from my supplier:



The part you got is 52122362AE, this doesn't fall into the affected assemblies 52122362AA through 52122362AD. It is the newer version designed to fix this flaw.



Since I ordered mine early in December, they must have identified the defect quite a bit earlier to get a fix into production already.



LCD... I'll be calling tomorrow!

 

[EDankievitch]

Ok, So I've done two of these steering up dates on both an 04 and a 05 How do I find out if these kits are no good???? What do I have to look for is there a number stamped some place? I don't have the boxes the kits came in. Is there a batch number stamped some place???

 

[Matt400]

You need the part number, box it came in or sales receipt. If you have thrown both away then maybe the seller can reproduce it.