I promise I used search and didn’t find anything on this. Please don’t scold me if someone already posted.
Received this notice in my “My Ram” app this morning.
Here is the screenshot.
Seems a little concerning to me when a fix is to replace a broken one or weld a non broken one that is in spec but I admit I am about the least knowledgeable guy posting on this forum (aside from the weight police [emoji3])
I have this and two other recalls waiting. I'll get this one done when they have the actual fix ready. At this moment it is just a quick fix, not a true repair/replacement. I torqued and loctited and painted reference marks on mine many miles ago so no need to take it to the dealer to get the jam nuts welded to the sleeve. The actual repair needs to address the extremely loose engagement of the threads on the nuts and sleeve. They need to replace them with ones that engage better or they need to replace the whole drag link assembly. The threads are scary loose. From the wording of the recall and from user reports of steering wheels suddenly being 1/4 turn or more off center and from what I noticed when mine came loose, the engagement is so loose that it can jump threads if the jam nut(s) are not tight.
I have a 2018 2500 that was manufactured in February 2018. I purchased the truck new in March 2019. I received a recall in the mail for the drag link as well. So this thing is extending into the 2018 models. I am considering an aftermarket replacement like the Synergy brand drag link bar. https://www.synergymfg.com/synergy-13-ram-truck-heavy-duty-drag-link.html?category_id=4060 The money spent for this to put this issue to bed might be worth it in the long run. A 4 wheel alignment with state of the art Hunter Alignment is only $94. So buying the aftermarket replacement for $300, 30 minute install, and realignment is not out of the question. However, like everyone else, who wants to spend the money for this.
I was making an appt with a front end shop to do a Thuren spec alignment this week.
I had a dealer alignment done in Oct for free and it seemed like it made my right front tire wear even faster.
I guess I should have the shop align it before the dealer welds it in place???
Hey, I’m new to the forum and I tried to buy a used 2017 2500 and they said they can’t even sell any of the trucks that are under this recall until there is a fix. So I wait...
After I found mine loose the first time, I put anti-sieze on the threads and tightened them as tight as I could. I do inspect them when I change oil, but they haven't loosened up in over 40,000 miles. I'm wondering if the new piece will be like the Jeeps, a sleeve with clamps on the sleeve instead of nuts.
that is how the old drag link used to be. I think the new system is much better. I don't know anything about metal or threads, but I wonder why they use fine threads on these links and so many other bolts. Seems like a coarse thread would hold better, no?:confused013:
Threads are basically mechanical wedges. Think of a thread like a doorstop that's wrapped around a cylinder. The finer the pitch, the shallower the doorstop is for a given length. Thus, a fine pitch holds better than a coarse pitch because it's a shallower angle. Think of the difference in doorstop effectiveness, one being a shallow sliver that JUST fits under the door, and the other a clunky 30 or 45 degree wedge. You can get the tip of the thicker wedge under the door... but it doesn't lock in place because the friction relationships are wrong. Likewise, if you're using a wedge to lift a heavy door into place to mount the hinges, you use a thin, shallow wedge and tap it into place gently, not a clunky large angle wedge. You get finer adjustment and more effective mechanical advantage.
Finer threads hold better because of the above.
Because the wedge is shallower and the mechanical advantage greater, it is possible to develop the same stud/bolt stretch preload with reduced torque on finer threads.
Finer threads cut less deeply into the material, and are thus easier to cut into harder materials.
A fine threaded-fastener of the same nominal diameter as a coarse is stronger than the coarse because the major diameter of the fine threaded piece is greater.
The disadvantage to finer threads is that you need longer thread engagements because the area of the thread engagement is reduced, even considering the tighter helix.
Another disadvantage is that finer threads tend to cross-thread and gall more easily, especially in the presence of contaminants.
I guess welding is cheaper/easier then adding a few small holes and lock wiring them in place. Ofcourse most of the dealer parts swappers probably have no idea how to lockwire anything.
Is there an aftermarket option out there that one could buy and then turn the receipt into FCA and have them pay you? Welding the nut in place just doesn’t set well with me. That’s the worst solution to a problem I’ve heard. Maybe if out in the field and it’s needed to get you home but not something the manufacturer should be doing.
If the nut is jumping the threads one would think either the nut is oversized or the threads are undersized or cut to shallow.
Heck yeah. Synergy makes a drag link -- and matching tie rod -- with great big replaceable self-centering sealed Heim joints held in place with billet steel clamps, not jam nuts. They put the OEM hardware to shame for strength, maintainability, adjustability, and appearance.
Looks like I'm checking my draglink when I get home. Safety wire seems like a good idea instead of welding, I helped engines safety wire GE motors back in my F-16 days, I'm sure I get this thing wired.
Locktight will work if its coming loose by turning, but like some say it has jumped a thread. If the bolt and thread have enough space to jump a threat locktight is not the best fix but better then nothing. If it was good fix RAM would use it. Something bigger is going on here then just the nut backing off, which is what locktight is made to prevent.
i emailed them asking if they would cover some of my costs will post reply from them if they ever do get back to me but for the price i was happy for piece of mind with this piece
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Cummins Diesel Forum
8.8M posts
379.2K members
Since 2005
A forum community dedicated to all things Cummins Diesel! Originally founded for owners and enthusiasts of Cummins powered Dodge pickups, the Cummins Forum has expanded to include ALL Cummins Engine applications! Come join the discussion about reviews, drivetrain swaps, turbos, modifications, classifieds, builds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!