2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission voided warranty

[Gregg Mig]

I just want to pass along the B---S--- I had to put up with from DC. The dealer put a new steering box on in june because the steering wheel had to much play in it,the truck required to much driver input to go straight down the road. I also had a new steering shaft installed which I had to pay for out of pocket because the dealer said I modified it. The shaft was loose at the top and I was getting a clunking feeling at the steering wheel that I thought was coming from the shaft being loose at the top knuckle. There is a plastic sleeve that had broken and that was causing the play,so I took the shaft out and mig welded it,it came out mint but I still had that clunking feeling. The service manager said because I modified it he could not warranty it and if I had a problem with any of my balljoints tie rod end they would be voided also because I drill them and put in zerk fittings. Well new box is sloppy again and I did the overcenter and preload ajustment did nothing with the play in the wheel . I went back to my dealer and they said this is normal and that the truck is fine. I then called the 800 number and they said that they would call me back in an hour in which they did but to my surprise the women said that because I modified the tierod ends I have voided my warranty and they would not replace my steering box. I guess I am pretty mad... . My truck has only 26000 miles on it. This dealer S---S...

 

[CEpp]

the warranty can olny be voided if they can prove that by u adding grease fittings in the tie rod ends caused the steering box to go out, there's a aftermarket/modification form around somewhere on the net that says that. now, both u and i know they cant prove it.



ive spent 10+ yrs in the auto service industry and thats there excuse to not bother with it. IMO, throw a fit! call DC again and raise hell!, it seems that the more u complain, the more they will lean to your side. the tie rod ends will not be covered, i can see that. but IMO, too much gease in a joint, that should have been servicable, isnt going to make the steering box wear out.



are they going to void your warranty on your suspension just because u had someone else install new tires? or void your paint warranty because u installed a bed liner?



oh, one other thing. just tell the dealership whats happening, do not tell them u tryed to fit it, or have messed with it. the less they know the better. they really dont care for stuff like the tdr, because it takes away from the money there service dept. makes.



do this quick though, DC can show the voided warranty nationwide.

 

[Gregg Mig]

CEpp I was on the phone for 45 minutes with this women and was going absolutly nowhere,we were going in circles,she kept saying I modified my balljoints and I kept saying that this has nothing to do with the steering box,then she would say that the dealers are their eyes and ears,and I would say why do you have a customer service 800# if your not going to help out the customer,it was total B------T. I know they do this intentionaly just to **** you off so that you finally say it's just not worth the time and agrivation. The service manager was arrogant and ignorant,just because he spotted the grease fittings he assumed I was tampering with the truck,and he had allready made up his mind about me. he would not even call the rep to get him involved.

 

[AKAMAC]

Greg,

There is nothing you can do with the existing warranty and the same Dealer. If you can get from them the front end alignment specs that they should have taken from your truck when they did the first box, compare them with the known "good" specs that are here. A steering box replacement on any vehicle in any FE shop will be checked for FE only alignment. There won't be a 4 corner check because there was no chassis changes. These trucks need caster! They will hammer the suspension if the angle is setup like a sprint car. You will have drift, wander and God forbid the death wobble. Get the printout for the alignment and post the facts here! I'm sure that DC monitors this site and will be waiting for the answer. I know I am..... Don't get mad, make them mad! I don't have an OM manual but there will be quoted at the end of job; "Verify front end alignment. " The Dealer should have an electronic laser Bear FEA setup that registers and stores values for every vehicle put on it.



The only other thing that I would do is have an indpendent shop record your alignment specs before you turn it over for warranty work. It will cost you now but will give you a record of probable service faliure.



Good luck, Mike

 

[mgoncalves]

I have been highly disapointed with Dodge and there attitude about warranties. This is my first Dodge vehicle, and will have to think long and hard about buying another new Dodge after my own dealings with warranty work as well as others like yourself. A warranty is only as good as the company that stands behind it, and the dealer that I bought my truck from, and also my local dealer are pretty much worthless. They are more than happy to tell you how much it would cost to pay them to fix it, but won't admit there is a problem if they have to fix it under warranty.



ATTENTION CHRYSLER;

YOUR DEALERS ARE COSTING YOU FUTURE SALES BY THERE DISHONEST WARRANTY PRACTICES. WHY WILL THEY QUOTE US A PRICE TO REPAIR A PROBLEM, BUT NOT FIX IT UNDER THE WARRANTY WE PAID YOU FOR????

 

[CEpp]

i would just get it handled asap, black marks are hard to fix once there on your warranty record that DC pulls up. another thing u could do, is call another DC and tell them your interested in buying the truck and want them to run a vin report. see if they can tell you if the voided part has made it into the computer yet. just a little FYI, the service manager has the power to auth. the repair, the other thing is tell them ud like to talk to the regional service rep. those guys usually make trips into there dealerships on a monthly basis.

i see your sig. dont tell them anything about what uve done to it

 

[Gregg Mig]

I spoke with the service manager yesterday and I told him that I wanted to speak to a dc rep,and to my surprise he said ok but he will not be in until mid Jan. Is there anything else I should or shoud'nt do?CEpp can and would another dealer check a vin # without hassel?

 

[Dane]

I hope they pay for the repairs

The DC rep is the way to get what you want. Make sure the rep understands there are thousands of us TDR members waiting to see what he/she does for you.



I understand your frustration and agree the grease fittings and welding did not cause the problems. But, DC does not see it that way and they are the ones you want to pay for repairs.



Now, repeat after me - "When I modify my truck, I become my own warranty station"



Bottom line, like it or not, we have to keep our trucks 100% stock if we want DC to pay warranty claims.

 

[CEpp]

your going down the right track... dc rep is not someone u want to loose your cool with. . just explain to him what we all have told u and DO NOT tell him anything about the injectors, clutch, or comp box. if they dont already know.



yes another dealer should check warranty avail without a hassel, just call the service dept.



im with dane... . im sure there are a few folks that are really watching this thread... and if the outcome is bad, it could turn ugly.



dealership personel dont care for websites that give u the edge on the dealer, it takes money out of there pocket. i really dont think that id mention tdr, unless your at your last ditch effort. if u are the original owner of the truck, it helps conciderably, also take it to the dealer u bought it at, unless too far away.



believe me, in 10+ yrs as a service writer, ive seen somethings go right under the radar.

 

[mgratner]

I once had a problem with GM over a transmission in a 94 3500 diesel. They wouldn't do anything. Had a $2200. repair done elsewhere. I sued the dealer and GM in Small Claims Court. 3 days before the hearing they offered me $1900. which I accepted. These Giants don't want to chance loosing a suit and opening pandoras box.

 

[jimk]

Is it to much to ask who these fine folks are so I will NEVER do business with them thanks Jim k

 

[Gregg Mig]

Jimk I will tell you and everyone else after this is or is not resolved,just in case they are browsing the sites,I would'nt want to p--s them off,,one thing is definatley for sure both the dealers and DC don't give a rats a-s about any of it customers,and the funny thing is everyone in my family drives DC vehicles at least 10+ members and my brother has a company with 25 DC vehicles including 5 td trucks,when I spoke with the women (Michelle) in customer service about this and that I would not buy another DC product along with my family due to the poor treatment and service she said "oh well you have to do what have to do"...

 

[Gregg Mig]

What I don't understand is how a company the size of DC is willing loose myself and several other customers over a $300 steering box, and a defective clutch or flywheel,,it just proves their greed and arrogance. . And it also proves that they acknowledge the problem but do not know how to fix it. If 1 out of 100 steering boxes are junk them go to a new vender but the trouble is there are very few companys left in this country that can build boxes,if not any. .

 

[DieselTweaker]

Gregg, what's your VIN # I have some connections and I can find out if any flags have been thrown on your truck. I worked for a Dodge dealership and the Dealership Im with now has a jeep store.



Also the dealer is right, but the way they've been treating you is B/S any part that has been altered it will void the warr. for that componet and anything related to it. I recommend you keep a very level head about this with the service writer/DC rep or anybody you come in contact with about this intill it's settled..... I have seen alot of stuff taken care of that shouldnt have been... . Heck I've taken care of stuff that should have been C. P. But on the other hand I've seen a rep for one of the big 3 (not going to bash anyone on that but) void an engine under warr becasue of a K&N filter.



I've sent you a msg to your inbox with my phone number if you want me to get some info for you or just need some advice give me a call.

 

[AKAMAC]

Gregg, I didn't post the link before, got pulled away. You can read this thread about DW, I know you don't have it, to get the specs. To have a front end that is able to do the DW dance with the weight of our engine above it is amazing. If the FE is close to the margin of error that allow this, just think of the forces on the articulating parts that don't let it happen. Brent gives a really good explanation and fix for the problems that some have.



http://www.tdr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=110125



That said, you will need proof of incompetence. Find a local FEA shop that will give you the Caster, Camber and toe. No adjustment, just a printed record of the measurements. You need ammo to fight them with, if you can get them here the clutch may follow. Mike