Interesting comment made by Viper Tech at dealership per Recall

[VIPERCANE]

Went to the dealership here in Orlando to have the car inspected for the recall
#998 - Steering and Differential Frame Repair. He said he saw cracks and would definitely need to address it. But the Service Director, who has been a friend for a couple of years now advised me that they did not trust their body shop or the shop they use to do such as they have no experience in such. So, now I will have Larry Macedo do the work.

The Tech said that this recall is ridiculous as there has to be an inspection first before any action can be taken that will be under warranty. He said that Dodge needs to just call in all the cars and have them welded whether there be visible cracks or not.............he said what happens when an owner brings his car in, no cracks are found, and the owner is then sent away thinking all is well as there were no cracks found (at that time at least). What happens down the road when a crack develops and the owner still think his car is safe as it was inspected earlier on and found to be ok. A danger lurking and definitely a safety issue to the owner and public.

What do you guys think? If that is the way this recall is working, then I tend to agree with this Tech. Be safe guys!

 

[1TONY1]

The recall and bracing is done cracks or no cracks. If there are cracks then more is done to address them.

 

[VIPERCANE]

Tony, the funny thing about it is he said they inspected 3 other cars and they were all fine and nothing had to be done to them...........is this the norm or should they have done what you just posted????

 

[Achilles99]

Like Tony said, this recall technically should be done whether there is damage or not (if there is damage already, I'm sure more additional work is required). After talking with several people, I think the general consensus is that this recall can't hurt if done CORRECTLY. The problem is finding people who know how to do it. I had mine done by JD Farmer at Marietta Dodge. He is familiar with the recall, and was finally comfortable with a welder that he trusted to do the job.

Now, if you don't track the car, chances are that you are OK. But, IMHO, I wasn't willing to take that chance.

 

[Mike H]

THATS BULL!!!!! I have had both my street Viper and Race car done. It is a recall where the frame peice for the rack is REPLACED. It is the better designed rack on the newer year cars...I think 2001 or the 2002 cars have this rack. Go to someone else as they are clueless!

 

[WPG]

Which dealership was this at in Orlando?

 

[Matt M PA]

Boy, I sure hope Chuck T sees this thread. I can only speak to the 999 recall, as this is what my car received. Nothing is removed. Additional strenghtening "gussets" (for want of a better term) are installed. There are three parts that are structurally riveted and welded in place to make the steering rack mount much stronger. My car showed no signs of cracking, but the recall was done for safety's sake. Once it cracks...you have a major league repair. I would bet that many dealers simply do not want this job as it frankly does not pay enough for a daler to do it correctly without losing money.

 

[Viper Wizard]

Went to the dealership here in Orlando to have the car inspected for the recall
#998 - Steering and Differential Frame Repair. He said he saw cracks and would definitely need to address it. But the Service Director, who has been a friend for a couple of years now advised me that they did not trust their body shop or the shop they use to do such as they have no experience in such. So, now I will have Larry Macedo do the work.

The Tech said that this recall is ridiculous as there has to be an inspection first before any action can be taken that will be under warranty. He said that Dodge needs to just call in all the cars and have them welded whether there be visible cracks or not.............he said what happens when an owner brings his car in, no cracks are found, and the owner is then sent away thinking all is well as there were no cracks found (at that time at least). What happens down the road when a crack develops and the owner still think his car is safe as it was inspected earlier on and found to be ok. A danger lurking and definitely a safety issue to the owner and public.

What do you guys think? If that is the way this recall is working, then I tend to agree with this Tech. Be safe guys!

Inspecting the car for cracks is the first step for the Recall! Then if no cracks are found the rest of the Recall MUST BE PERFORMED!!!! 998 has been taking me 7.5 hours [To do it RIGHT!][68 so far!], DC pays the Dealer 5.3hrs[Sticking the Dealers every chance they get! ]

 

[VIPERCANE]

The dealership is Holler Dodge and I am now getting a little bit concerned as to who should do this. Now, has anybody here in the Orlando area had this work done, and if so, by whom? Help!!!!!!!!

Chuck, thanks for the info. what are we to do if the dealership outright tells you that they do not trust their own people?? Is this a simple weld job or does it entail much more? Can a racing shop or a tuner do it, or is there parts that need to be ordered thru the dealership etc? Please help so I can provide some insight to Aaron, who is the Service Director at Holler. Thanks alot.

Bindy

 

[Viper Wizard]

The dealership is Holler Dodge and I am now getting a little bit concerned as to who should do this. Now, has anybody here in the Orlando area had this work done, and if so, by whom? Help!!!!!!!!

Chuck, thanks for the info. what are we to do if the dealership outright tells you that they do not trust their own people?? Is this a simple weld job or does it entail much more? Can a racing shop or a tuner do it, or is there parts that need to be ordered thru the dealership etc? Please help so I can provide some insight to Aaron, who is the Service Director at Holler. Thanks alot.

Bindy

The parts have to come from DC! I'm sure a race shop can handle the welding, but you can NOT get signed off for the Repair because a DC Dealer did not do it! So your VIN# will be listed as: Recall 998 Incomplete!
Find a Dealer that has been performing the Recalls!!
I've had Viper owners travel as far as 7 hours for me to do this Recall!!
You may have to drive a bit to have it dun RIGHT!

 

[WPG]

The dealership is Holler Dodge and I am now getting a little bit concerned as to who should do this. Now, has anybody here in the Orlando area had this work done, and if so, by whom? Help!!!!!!!!

I was just at Orlando Dodge this morning dropping off my Prowler for service. I was talking to the Viper tech there, and he mentioned a brace problem, so I assume he was talking about this and is aware of it.

I am extremely satisfied with the service I have received so far at Orlando Dodge. They are the only dealership that I have been to that I haven't got a sick feeling in my stomach when dropping off my car for service. The service manager is named Gary Matthews. He is the guy I have dealt with most . The Viper tech's name is John Olsewski. Both gentlemen are class acts. They have gone above and beyond to help me where other dealerships dropped the ball. The phone number there is 407-472-2080.

 

[VIPERCANE]

WPG, thanks for the info. Called Orlando Dodge and found out that my old Viper Tech buddy now works there. Talked to him and he said that they have a welder on premise that does a kick a$$ job. Has done a few already. So, got an appointment scheduled for this Thursday to get that done. Crisis averted. Thanks again. This board rocks!!!!!!

BTW, I have a Prowler too...Black with the tag "PRWLN" Where are you located in Orlando???

 

[WPG]

BTW, I have a Prowler too...Black with the tag "PRWLN" Where are you located in Orlando???

I have a 1999 Red Prowler. You can find more info about it at my website, http://www.MagicTouchDesigns.com

I currently live in Waterford Lakes but I am looking for a second house right now . I am looking for one with at least a three car garage. I have to wait until I get more garage space before buying my Viper. I am considering a red GTS with white stripes.

I am more than pleased with the service I have received at Orlando Dodge. I can not say enough good things about their whole service department. I have been driving to Jacksonville to have work done because the local monkeys break more than they fix. But Orlando Dodge has changed that.