2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission WARNING: Bad Dealer

[BBerube]

My Story... .



I bought my truck from a friend of mine who took extremely good care of it since the day it was new. He had all of his performance modifications installed by a very knowledgeable shop. The truck never leaked anything a day in its life.



Ok, so here is the story...

The truck needed a brake job for the fronts. After speaking to a few people, I learned that the rotors needed to be turned on the truck and this required a special machine. So I called the local Dodge dealer (Papa's Dodge, New Britain, CT) and explained to them that I needed a front brake job and that the brake pedal felt a little low.



To make a long story short, they had my truck for 13 days to change the oil, do a break job and troubleshoot the low brake pedal. They replaced the master cylinder first and that didn't help. Next they called Chrysler because those idiots had idea what they were looking at... after waiting about 5 days and stringing me along, Chrysler got back to them and told them to change the anti lock brake valves for the rear. Well that took care of it. So after 2 weeks with no ride (they didn't give me a loaner) I picked up my truck (paying almost $1000 for the job!!). They were suck jerks, they didn't care about anything I said regarding the fact that they had my truck for 2 weeks, just sitting in the shop... waiting for a reply from Chrysler. The price was the price and that’s it.



So, I have had it about 2 weeks now and it has been leaking engine oil and I think it is leaking brake fluid from the right front caliper. I am calling them tomorrow and I am going to lay into them! I can't believe it... pay all kinds of money to have work done, and they give you crap! You would think a "dealership" would be knowledgeable about the product they sell... . Ever since then, I have told people about them and I have been hearing horror stories about this place.



Again, I just wanted to post this to warn people in this area about this dealership. STAY AWAY FROM PAPA'S DODGE!!!!!!!



Thank you for listening to me rant and rave... .

 

[illflem]

Make sure to write your opinion here http://dodgeram.info/survey_dealer/Dealers.htm

 

[BBerube]

Done, thanks for pointing that out!

 

[JBrookshire]

Most dealers are thefs

Sad to say but true, I work in a body shop at a phord dealer ship. I see the auto side alot and alot of times I think they wave there magic wand in the area they are trouble shooting and what ever it sticks to they replace till it is fixed and you pay for it wether it fixed it or not . Yes there is phew dealers and techs that are in it for u but most want that money. I usuly try to do it my self or take it to a repetial garage that has dode some one else good . Just my 50cents Justin

 

[BBerube]

Yeah, I usually do all the work myself, but in this case I needed that special machine for turning the rotors.....



I hate having other people work on my automobiles!

 

[CRSmith]

This is why when I lived in NJ, I went to NC to buy my truck. Most of the dealers in the northeast seemed like ultra scheisters, as opposed to just scheisters in the South. One dealership in NY wanted me to put down a 500 dollar deposit before I could even look at the truck on their storage lot. *******s.

 

[rdrose]

why did you need a special machine to do your brake disc. i took mine to local parts store and they where done with no problems. they didn't say anything about having any trouble?

 

[BillGotthelf]

It would have been MUCH cheaper to buy new rotors and rebuilt calipers and do the job yourself.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Believe this or not but here I had the front rotors turned on the truck and have had no trouble at all. Well they were not turned on the truck. They we taken off. I told them they were supposed to be on the truck to turn and was told they never had a problem taking them off. And sure nuff, I have had no trouble at all. I can stop with my hands off the steering wheel and stay straight. But now I know why you leave the rotors on. To take the rotors off the axle has to come off. Well, some any way. With that you break the seal and here comes the oil. That was the only trouble I had. A leaking oil seal. That had to be changed and the trouble was fixed. Now after 8 months all is well.



That's my opinion anyway.



. . PT. .

 

[daveshoe]

If I understand what others have written -- the reason the brakes should be turned on the truck is that the bearings may be seated out of square with the rotors. This may cause a slight wobble in the wheel-- probably worse on 4wd.

If this is true then even a new rotor should be turned on the truck to true it up.

Anybody else who has had firsthand experience with this?

 

[vssman]

The first time I had to change my front brakes, I talked to my local service manager (He was actually trustworthy, unfortunately he's no longer at the lacal dealership). He suggested that I never cut the rotors unless they are warped or ground. Even then, he felt it would be better to replace them instead. Taking that into account, I just sand the rotors when I slap in a new set of pads. So far so good.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

vssman,



my service manual says the same thing.



Jim

 

[Figgy]

I know the feeling, When I orderd my 2001 3500 they were the first dealer I went to. They just wanted a sale nothing else.

I always ask about the service department, Ya they said it was great and all, but I didn't get a tour and no other talk's

They were just concerned with what my deposit was going to be.

Any way I have heard from others about Papas Dodge.

I myself am very happy with Holley Dodge in Midletown great people who I can talk to (Sales) anyway service is not bad my opinion never had a problem with them.

 

[Mactruck]

Got mine from Holley. I've been pretty happy with them.



I don't know much about the service dept. because

I'M HEAVILY BOMBED AND AM MY OWN WARRANTY STATION!





Just a quick note in reference to PAPA's. Ted Jannetty got his truck thier and has had good service. I think because he's a player in the Modification BIZ. He had his KDP blow his motor and they replaced the whole thing in his 12 valver. You KNOW that motor had been modified and I'm sure they knew it too.

 

[John]

Originally posted by daveshoe

... the reason the brakes should be turned on the truck is that the bearings may be seated out of square with the rotors.

The reason Dodge states that the rotors should be turned while installed on the truck is because this method (IF done right) will provide the truest surface perpendicular to the axis of the axle.



Installing new rotors or turned rotors (off the truck) will be acceptable IF they were manufactured or remachined accurately and EVERY mating surface has been stoned and cleaned.



I just installed the driver side EGR rotor last night and subsequently checked it at two different times during the installation process with a dial indicator... once after the bearing/hub bolts were installed and torqued, once after the axle nut was torqued. Everything looked pretty good at . 005" T. I. R.



The 4x4s use a sealed bearing/hub assembly whereas the 4x2s use a traditional rotor with inner and outer bearings.



At first I thought the integral bearing/hub was a real lousy idea however, after looking at them with an open mind, I can clearly see it is the superior idea, especially if you use your 4x4 in deep water or mud. The down side being...



they are REALLY expensive if they require replacement.



The up side...



many have reported extreme longevity.