Steering Recall-Dealer says I have to..........Why?

[viperdrummer]

I have going back and forth with my dealer about the steering recall for my 00 GTS. He says he can't do it without a "certified " welder. He says no cert welder he has called in town (Richmond Va)is willing to do it. He now says I must take the car to MD where there is a dealer who has a cert welder. I say I don't see why I have to put 300 plus miles on the car and miss work to have a safety recall performed. I asked him what he would do if it was a Caravan which got no response. He hasn't offered and I don't really want to have it towed up to a strange dealership by a strange tow company.(we have enough problems with good tow companies) Anyone else have this problem or have suggestions? Thanks

 

[Toby]

call a local race or restoration shop. One that builds/restores cars for a living and tell him your story. If they are cool..they will make the trip to the dealer for you. Pay the guy a little extra in cash on the side for the effort as well.

 

[Tomer]

Viperdrummer, my 0.02...The dealership is doing the right thing (basically not wanting to perform the recall). If they do not
have a trained Viper Tech, they should not do the work...I would not recommend trying to find someone to do the work
who is not experienced at this point (since soooooooo many techs have performed many recalls, you have the benefit
of getting an experienced tech to work on your car).

So, I suggest you do find the closest experienced Viper Tech, and either drive or ship the car...Its not ideal depending
on your location, but hey, Vipers are not for every dealer!

Tomer

 

[viperdrummer]

Tomer: Thanks. we have a great Viper tech-that's not the issue. He is not a certified welder and that's why they say I must put 300-400 miles on the odometer and miss work to get it fixed. I say a safety recall is their issue and they should have to bring a certified welder to the dealership to do it right. Heck, they should bring a guy in a couple days and do the handful of Vipers in my area that need the fix.

 

[99 R/T 10]

viperdrummer
I had the recall done by the viper tech who was not a certified welder, and now have to get it all looked at because the the steering is off. Don't know why and the tech explained he had let his certification lapse, but felt he could do the job correctly. Probably did, but I want to why the car seems to track to the right and the steering wheel is off center. The tech left the dealership because of new ownership. They basically washed their hands of the whole situation and said I could file a grievence with DC (which I did), to get it corrected. I feel like I am getting the run around, but hope to get it checked out sometime this month.

 

[FRANK]

Personally, as long as a guy has some experience welding someone in their shop could do it. I have been MIG welding for years and with a little practice anyone can master it.

A friend of mine is a certified welder and works on all types of equipment as well as gasoline tanker trucks etc. He knows his stuff. He always told me that even "ugly welds" as long as they ********* are as good as a smoot looking weld. *********** is the key and keeping it even. I am not advocating "ugly welding" but anyone who can use a MIG should be able to weld it up with little effort and have it look good. Some thick welds and maybe some small bracing should work out for you.

If my car needed it, I'd put it up in the air, evaluate the problem, grind the area and weld!

 

[Tomer]

Sorry Viperdrummer, I was a little off in my assesment...You are in a bit of a fix...Can the Wizard chime in here? I have no idea
if the Viper Tech that did my car is "certified", but he has been welding for many years, he went to the DC recall training, and he
even had a rep from Lincoln come in and calibrate his welder and they did some test welding with the flux core that is recommended
for the recall, etc etc...All before he performed any recalls...

Maybe you just have a bad service department, which I know does not help you...Have you personally talked to your Viper Tech?

Tomer

 

[FRANK]

Calibrate his welder? LOL Lincoln actually did this? Did they haveta come adjust wire speed and heat setings? Are you joking? Certified welder? This cracks me up. Some of the best welders I have seen believe it or not are muffler shop guys! They weld all day long under cars...some of the nicest looking welds I have seen. I cannot understand why shops can't perform this for the customer.

As far as flux core welding I can't imagine doing that. I was always under the impression that flux core wasn't as good as MIG. Personally I don't know anyone who uses flux core. Everyone is MIG or TIG.

I think too many people on here get all worked up for nothing. Making mountains out of molehills. I guess people that don't have much experience with wrenching etc. get bent out of shape regarding procedures or approaches to repairing things. Keep it simple.

 

[FRANK]

By the way...are we talking about welding steel or?

 

[FrankBarba]

viperdrummer,
contact the viper wizard. he has done alot of vipers from the east coast. Sometimes you must weigh your options. If you dont' want to drive your car 300 miles (dont know why) then have someone trailer it up to the wizard to fix. Mine went there, would not have taken it anywhere else.

 

[Bonkers]

As a safety issue I think DC can void your warrenty if you don't have the service performed (and after the way DC has been treating its warrenty holders lately I wouldn't put anything past them.)

What do you expect them to do though? Bring the certified welder from MD for the day so he can fix your car? I fail to see the issue, its 300 miles - no big deal and if you cannot take off of work then get a friend to take it.