Ram 3500 Track Bar Recall R-46

[JSchenck]

So I receive yet ANOTHER recall notice (R-36) for my 2014 Ram 3500 the other day. I call my dealer to schedule the repair and am advised that my truck is also the subject of a track bar bracket recall (R-46) where the brackets for the track bar may have been improperly welded and could fail, causing loss of control of the vehicle. As of now Chrysler does not have parts available to repair this. So I call Chrysler Customer Care and express my concern of driving a vehicle where there is a potential for steering failure and ask when the parts will be available. The representative puts me on hold, comes back and tells me that there is no date yet available for the corrective action. He tells me that it is SAFE (????) to drive the truck and to just "Pay attention to the feel of the steering. If it feels funny then stop" REALLY????? The recall is for a STEERING SAFETY ISSUE and they are telling me it's safe to drive???? WOW!!!! Seems to me like a HUGE LIABILITY ISSUE to be telling Ram truck owners it's safe to drive the vehicle. I really like this truck, but am REALLY getting tired of what is now the SEVENTH recall for it...

 

[Kirwin]

The issue is well documented in this thread. I'm not worried, but I did inspect my trucks welds.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/253148-Recall-R46-Question

 

[JSchenck]

I crawled underneath and looked at the welds. No rust and they appear to be OK. Not welds that I would be proud of, but adequate I guess.

 

[mpaulson]

Nice!! going to go look at mine now! If I see anything lacking I'll weld it myself now rather than wait for them to come up with some "bolt on" fix. It's not like they are going to get someone at the dealership to weld these, I wouldn't trust them. I'm a structural steel/plate fitter, welder by trade.

 

[mpaulson]

Mine is fine.

 

[JSchenck]

I agree with you mpaulson. With very few exception the only welds I trust are the ones that I have welded.

 

[Dieselnerd]

I thought they were supposed to announce what they were going to do after 10/08?

My welds are fine, going in next week for the two airbag fixes, software flash and tie back the wires in the steering wheel.

 

[JSchenck]

Nope. Just dropped mine off at the dealer yesterday for the air bag recall. No fix/parts released by Chrysler yet for the track bar bracket. Dealer does not even know when the fix / parts will be available.

 

[NickSullivan]

I just went out and crawled under my truck to look at my steering and track bar bracket. My track bar bracket is hitting the top of my diff cover. 16,000 miles all stock

 

[SnoKing]

I just went out and crawled under my truck to look at my steering and track bar bracket. My track bar bracket is hitting the top of my diff cover. 16,000 miles all stock

2x4 or 4x4? Snoking

 

[Mingoglia]

2x4 or 4x4? Snoking

I haven't been under the 4th gen 4x2 trucks, but isn't it independent front suspension on the 4x2? If so, no track bar since a trackbar keeps a solid axle centered.

 

[SnoKing]

I haven't been under the 4th gen 4x2 trucks, but isn't it independent front suspension on the 4x2? If so, no track bar since a trackbar keeps a solid axle centered.

Nope! I think they went to a solid front axle similar to this jeep one. Snoking

#ad

 

[NickSullivan]

2x4 or 4x4? Snoking

4wheel drive.

 

[mfurrh55]

consumer report says that Chrysler and Dodge have more recalls than any other brands of autos, and from listening to ya'll with the 4th gens. , i would say they are correct, Monte

 

[Ram4Sam]

Looks like mine is going to need help.......looks to be cracking and rusting. Pretty sad quality control.......

Sam

#ad

 

[SnoKing]

I would knock the slag off the dark weld and see what is going on under it. You have the extra brace visible on the left side of the photo. SNOKING

 

[TCDiesel]

The penetration is the problem, once the welds give on the brace, the Bracket is not strong enough too offset the force the track bar creates, it just rips the bracket right of the frame.

 

[DonFitzwater]

Looks like mine is going to need help.......looks to be cracking and rusting. Pretty sad quality control.......

Sam

#ad

I see nothing wrong with your weld. Looks just like mine. The paint is peeling but I don't believe it's from cracking or weld failure.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I see nothing wrong with your weld. Looks just like mine. The paint is peeling but I don't believe it's from cracking or weld failure.

I'm no welder so I don't know if it is a big issue.......but the paint has come off and it is rusting, and we don't get much rust in our neck of the woods. It should be FCA's problem this coming week anyway so I'm not losing any sleep over it.

Sam

 

[SnoKing]

Is this a crack? SNOKING

#ad