Seriously cracked panhard rod mount

[MattandLana]

Hi all,

I'm not a regular contributor but hoping you may be able to help me nonetheless. I’m an Aussie who bought a 2014 Ram 3500 Cummins Aisin Megacab in the US and imported it into Australia through a right hand drive conversion company.

I’ve just discovered that the panhard rod mount on my truck is very seriously cracked. Basically 2/3 of the way to tearing right off the subframe. It’s all factory stuff, the converters didn’t touch these parts.

I've seen the posts about the recall about improperly welded pan hard mounts. This doesn't look like that - it seems the subframe itself is tearing. See images.

Is this a known problem? Is there a standard way to fix it? My plan at the moment is to go to a reputable suspension fabricator and get them to engineer and custom-make a fix.


Any information or suggestions you can offer, very gratefully received.

 

[Bob4x4]

Because of your location,I doubt you will be able to have the recall repair performed under the recall.The recall parts will brace the bracket to spread the load.With a bit of clean up the kit can still be installed.Any frame shop could perform the work.

 

[AEdelheit]

I would be really curious to see a picture from the front looking at the suspension and see how it all works being converted to RHD but without moving the track bar and steering box.

 

[EDankievitch]

This is a Recall issue for sure. There has to be a dealer you can get the truck to. I'd give Chrysler Customer care a call for more help.

 

[GrantP]

I would be really curious to see a picture from the front looking at the suspension and see how it all works being converted to RHD but without moving the track bar and steering box.

Exactly. The track bar bracket looks homemade to me and it has obviously failed. The OP said the conversion company didn't touch these parts but I don't see how that's possible if it's RHD. I don't think this is Dodge's problem...

 

[MattandLana]

Thanks for your responses so far.

Chrysler don't permit their vehicles to be exported from the USA and don't support them if you do. I'll contact them, but I expect no assistance.

Oh OK, maybe the conversion company did move this. In a standard vehicle, what side does the panhard rod attach to the chassis? Mine attaches to the chassis on the vehicle's RHS (i.e. on your left as you look under the vehicle from the front, i.e.. your passenger side). Can someone please post a photo of the factory installation so I can compare? (Haha - I can't ask the conversion company because they've gone bust.)

PS: I promised photos of the conversion years ago but didn't get around to it, sorry. Can't post just now because the truck's at the mechanic's but will do so in a few weeks.

 

[AEdelheit]

Thanks for your responses so far.

Chrysler don't permit their vehicles to be exported from the USA and don't support them if you do. I'll contact them, but I expect no assistance.

Oh OK, maybe the conversion company did move this. In a standard vehicle, what side does the panhard rod attach to the chassis? Mine attaches to the chassis on the vehicle's RHS (i.e. on your left as you look under the vehicle from the front, i.e.. your passenger side). Can someone please post a photo of the factory installation so I can compare? (Haha - I can't ask the conversion company because they've gone bust.)

PS: I promised photos of the conversion years ago but didn't get around to it, sorry. Can't post just now because the truck's at the mechanic's but will do so in a few weeks.

The track bar must mount on the same side as the steering box as the draglink and track bar need to move inline with each other on the same plane. Your was modified as a LHD vehicle mounts on the Right side if looking at it from the front / Left side if sitting in the vehicle so would agree that it was a problem with the conversion.

 

[DonFitzwater]

The good thing is that you caught it in time. Have someone in your part of the world that is a good fabricator/welder make some better components and reinforce the mounting plates and mounting area.

 

[MattandLana]

Thanks all.

The good thing is that you caught it in time.

Hoo boy yes. My blood runs cold every time I look at it.

Have ... a good fabricator/welder make some better components and reinforce the mounting plates and mounting area.

Nah. I'm just gonna glue it. Bit of Araldite - she'll be right, mate. But don't worry, I'm not crazy, I'll leave it 24 hours to reach full strength before I drive ...

 

[DonFitzwater]

Thanks all.



Hoo boy yes. My blood runs cold every time I look at it.



Nah. I'm just gonna glue it. Bit of Araldite - she'll be right, mate. But don't worry, I'm not crazy, I'll leave it 24 hours to reach full strength before I drive ...

Maybe some of the “As seen on TV Flextape” would be a good option! Hahahahhaha

 

[spoon059]

Maybe some of the “As seen on TV Flextape” would be a good option! Hahahahhaha

Nah, you don't want it to flex. A nice coat of JB Weld will fix it. OP, just make sure you let it sit the whole 24 hours!!!! =)!

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Nah, you don't want it to flex. A nice coat of JB Weld will fix it. OP, just make sure you let it sit the whole 24 hours!!!! =)!

and then coat with Flex Seal

 

[jetmechabq]

Thanks all.



Hoo boy yes. My blood runs cold every time I look at it.



Nah. I'm just gonna glue it. Bit of Araldite - she'll be right, mate. But don't worry, I'm not crazy, I'll leave it 24 hours to reach full strength before I drive ...

You could use Araldite 2012 and it will cure in 20 minutes..

 

[Flash1034]

Holy Cow! That’s awful. A good welder can fix that better than new though. Still shouldn’t happen.

 

[RDeFayette]

That broke at the frame because when the mount was moved the nitwits welded it to the frame where the 2 holes act as weak spots. Take it to a local fabricator and have a plate made (and welded in) that will go between the frame and panhard bar mount covering the crack AND both of those holes. I'd strongly suggest having the frame/crack welded and the holes plug welded (filled) prior to the installation of the re-enforcing plate. Just welding the mount as it stands right now will only temporarily "fix" the issue. Until those holes go away it's gonna return. FYI, the larger the re-enforcing plate is made (to disperse/spread out/distribute the load from the panhard bar mount) the better off you'll be. Good luck. park it in the mean time.

 

[SnoKing]

Here are the links to the track bar recall.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/253278-Ram-3500-Track-Bar-Recall-R-46

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/243575-Track-bar-recall?p=2356947#post2356947

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...cket-Safety-Recall-R-46?p=2460282#post2460282

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ter-the-Bracket-install?p=2470725#post2470725

 

[Bob4x4]

Here are the links to the track bar recall.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/253278-Ram-3500-Track-Bar-Recall-R-46

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/243575-Track-bar-recall?p=2356947#post2356947

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...cket-Safety-Recall-R-46?p=2460282#post2460282

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...ter-the-Bracket-install?p=2470725#post2470725

The recall does not apply,the op’s vehicle was converted to rhd

 

[SnoKing]

The recall does not apply,the op’s vehicle was converted to rhd

But is shows what kind of additional bracing could be added to the mount.