Sorry dealer, Citrus Dode

[SGBARRACUDA]

I decided to take my 03 drw 4x4 to the dealer because I was getting close to the warranty end. These were the items I wanted fixed:

1) ball joints loose

2) axle u-joint play

3) 70-80 mph vibration

4) rear end whine

5) limited slip not working at all

6) front speakers rattle

Out of the list they replaced one speaker! They said ball joints were within there sloop factor abd the rest of the list they choose to ignor. Yes I talked to the service Mgr. and he said he called DC engineering but that they would not cover the bal joints, I do not know if he mentioned the other items or not. It matered not that I went there with a handful of threads I printed out from TDR concerning these issues. I called the 1 800 DC number but that was a total waste. The dealership was CITRUS DODGE IN DADE CITY FL. If I can cost them one sale I'll be happy. Look for my truck in the next couple of weeks on ebay. I'm either going to look for a 2002 2500 or 3500 with low miles or I may go to brand b, Ford. This has been a very disheartening experience! Thanks for letting me vent, Sorry

 

[K5IP]

Sorry!

Rog

 

[sag2]

There must be something you are leaving out of this story. Does this truck have all these problems evident, or did you walk in with threads and say I want this stuff replaced? Labor rates in Florida are probably less than here, but it would take a pretty stupid dealer to pass up warranty repairs on legitimate items. Dealers here get paid right at $100 per hour and a 40% markup on parts here for warranty repairs. A rear end OH runs about $1200 so just that repair would make them a nice little job.

If your story is true, you don't have a bad dealer, just a stupid one!

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

There must be something you are leaving out of this story. Does this truck have all these problems evident, or did you walk in with threads and say I want this stuff replaced? Labor rates in Florida are probably less than here, but it would take a pretty stupid dealer to pass up warranty repairs on legitimate items. Dealers here get paid right at $100 per hour and a 40% markup on parts here for warranty repairs. A rear end OH runs about $1200 so just that repair would make them a nice little job.

If your story is true, you don't have a bad dealer, just a stupid one!

No these are actual rproblems, Why they choose to do nothing? I have no idea. I owned my own repair here for allmost 18 years, When I say the ball jiont are loose, I mean I checked them with a dial indicator. But according to them they are just not sloopy enough to replace. When I say the posi doesn't work< I mean that I've been stuck twice and both times the left rear never spun. The hwy drone, Well That is self evident. The whine? I can't even get a tech to take a ride with me to show them! Look I do not know what there motivation is for not even atemting to fix these problems other these are not an "easy fix" I mean its not like an obvious part that you can just change out

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

I do have a theory, and mind you this just my theory. I think that DC has spent so much money across the country on these same problems that it has make a real black mark on there bottom profit line. So as a means to cut down on all of the warranty work they're spending $$$$$$$$ on, they have allowed more wear on ball joints before they are replaced and the same with u-joints. and as far as the vibration that it seems that can't get a handle on well they have just decided to say no.

 

[mopars1]

Can you try a different dealer? If all the problems are there and replacement is needed they should be done. How much play is in the ball joints? DC's spec is . 060" max. I do agree with your thoughts on cutting back. You should see what they have done to their warranty times for repairs. They STINK! 5 hours or less to put in a reman long block in a front wheel drive car does not make any sense.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

The worst of the balljoints measured by me was. 048 and the service Mgr told me that replacement tolerances are now . 090 not . 060! That kind of supports my theory, you think? I argued with them that when checking for vertical play that you will only be able to measure the "tightest of the two joints and that the other be it the upper or lower could be much worse since the tightest joint will prohibit the looser one from its full travel.

 

[p-Bar]

Call the service department and ask for an appointment to be made with the District Service Manager. I think you will have better results.

 

[JHardwick]

The worst of the balljoints measured by me was. 048 and the service Mgr told me that replacement tolerances are now . 090 not . 060! That kind of supports my theory, you think?

That's within tolerance, you think?

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

That's within tolerance, you think?

Not in my past experience. If so I guess I've been lieing to all the customers that I've told they needed new ball joints after I checked out ther vehicle.

To me no tolerance is "OK" when it comes to ball joints, especially on a new truck! But I think I will ask to speak to a district Mgr, thanks for the advice.

I talked to my service writer today and he told me that DC knew of the 69-80 mph drone but that they didn't have a cure?

 

[JHardwick]

So let me get this straight.



You quoted the spec as . 06" max and measured . 048". When the dealer said it was within spec and wouldn't replace the ball joints, you decide to... .



1) try and cost him a truck sale

2) put your Dodge on ebay

3) plan on buying a Ford



Am I missing something here?



BTW, you couldn't even steer your truck if there was "NO" play in the balljoints.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

So let me get this straight.



You quoted the spec as . 06" max and measured . 048". When the dealer said it was within spec and wouldn't replace the ball joints, you decide to... .



1) try and cost him a truck sale

2) put your Dodge on ebay

3) plan on buying a Ford



Am I missing something here?



BTW, you couldn't even steer your truck if there was "NO" play in the balljoints.

Are you tring to be a smart ***** or what, by play i mean vertical movement between the ball and the body of the joint, but I would hope you understood that. Seems funny I went to pick up my truck today and all they handed me was the key,NO papper work. So I left the truck with them until tomorrow so i can at least get someting in writing as to what I brought in for. Monday i will try and call a man name Mr. Dallas who i was told is the area rep.

 

[GCross]

This sounds typical, when it comes to warranty work we are at the mercy of the dealer, and if work is denied DC won't be of much (if any) help.



-George-

 

[rbattelle]

I understand what JHardwick's getting at. If maximum vertical play is 0. 060" and you're at 0. 048", what's the problem?



I'm not being mean or a smart@&$... I'm just wondering what we're missing.



I swear I read the 0. 060" specification in my service manual but now I can't find it... anyone know where it is? I can only find the spec for 1/2 ton trucks (which is 0. 020", by the way).



-Ryan

 

[JHardwick]

I understand what JHardwick's getting at. If maximum vertical play is 0. 060" and you're at 0. 048", what's the problem?

^^what he said^^ :-laf



SGBARRACUDA,



You can't fault the dealer for not replacing a part that is not wore out can you? . 048" of vertical play is acceptable within the maximun allowable range of . 06".



If I read this right, your attitude is such that you expect the part to be replaced because you are nearing the end of your warranty. The part is not wore out, but is wearing. Heck, everything on the truck is wearing.



Mileage limits on warranties and tolerances such as this set the limits for premature wear.

 

[Gas Man]

I decided to take my 03 drw 4x4 to the dealer because I was getting close to the warranty end. These were the items I wanted fixed:

1) ball joints loose

2) axle u-joint play

3) 70-80 mph vibration

4) rear end whine

5) limited slip not working at all

6) front speakers rattle

Out of the list they replaced one speaker! They said ball joints were within there sloop factor abd the rest of the list they choose to ignor. Yes I talked to the service Mgr. and he said he called DC engineering but that they would not cover the bal joints, I do not know if he mentioned the other items or not. It matered not that I went there with a handful of threads I printed out from TDR concerning these issues. I called the 1 800 DC number but that was a total waste. The dealership was CITRUS DODGE IN DADE CITY FL. If I can cost them one sale I'll be happy. Look for my truck in the next couple of weeks on ebay. I'm either going to look for a 2002 2500 or 3500 with low miles or I may go to brand b, Ford. This has been a very disheartening experience! Thanks for letting me vent, Sorry

Years ago something like this happened to me, Bought the truck in the big city, well you know the story, they would never fix it, made every excuse in the book, just shy of calling me stupid even if I told them what was wrong with it, and how to fix it??? I was really P. O. ed, found a differnet dealer and they simply fixed everthing right the first time no ? asked and no bull stories!!! Take it to a different dealer!!! their must be one around their someware, word of mouth is the best way.



Good Luck



Paul



P. S. I just traded my ok FORD on a great DODGE!!!

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

^^what he said^^ :-laf



SGBARRACUDA,



You can't fault the dealer for not replacing a part that is not wore out can you? . 048" of vertical play is acceptable within the maximun allowable range of . 06".



If I read this right, your attitude is such that you expect the part to be replaced because you are nearing the end of your warranty. The part is not wore out, but is wearing. Heck, everything on the truck is wearing.



Mileage limits on warranties and tolerances such as this set the limits for premature wear.

No that is not the whole story, Even though . 048 is within there . 060 guielines, which by the way the service writer told me the max tollerance is now . 090. I can except that, I think a joint with that much wear is rediculous on a 30k truck but ok. It's the 70-80 drone ,and the rearend whine that they are choosing to ignore that chaps me. I figured that as soon as Moog or some other chasis parts suplier comes out with a part I'll replace them along with the loose axle u-joints. They have decided to not even attempt to cure the drone. I was told and I quote " DC is aware of the problem but they do not have a cure"

 

[p-Bar]

Their have been some fixes on the drone, such as filling the driveline with expansive foam, shimming the carrier bearing. Use the search feature on this forum you will find some interesting reading.



P. S. all the ball joints used on vehicles today are made in China (Junk) not enough carbon in the steel or it's a communist conspiracy.

 

[JHardwick]

No that is not the whole story, Even though . 048 is within there . 060 guielines, which by the way the service writer told me the max tollerance is now . 090. I can except that, I think a joint with that much wear is rediculous on a 30k truck but ok. It's the 70-80 drone ,and the rearend whine that they are choosing to ignore that chaps me. I figured that as soon as Moog or some other chasis parts suplier comes out with a part I'll replace them along with the loose axle u-joints. They have decided to not even attempt to cure the drone. I was told and I quote " DC is aware of the problem but they do not have a cure"

Okay, I'll buy that. Your initial post and overall attitude was all about taking sales from this dealer, selling your Dodge on ebay and buying a Ford over a ball joint issue ... ... ... . I guess maybe I didn't understand you correctly.



Good luck on your new Ford

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

I have an appointment with the area rep, I'll let you know how it go's