posted 03-22-2003 09:21 AM         

Replacing the arms with the same joint will only postpone the issue. I'm sure that DC had to complete a very detailed engineering analysis to ensure that they really understood what the issue was, not just the result. These joints are in millions of non-DC vehicles and are not experiencing failures.

So in the time that an issue was identified, Dc researched the issue to identify scope, completed an extensive engineering analysis determining failure mode, redesigned and tested a replacement joint, designed and produced special tools to complete the replacement (remember the joints were serviced with the control arm), answered NHTSA and announced the recall. The dealers have not been given the details and therefore, aren't able to answer owner questions. This site has better information available than the typical dealership.

DC is collecting an accurate list of all known current owners from third party sources(many of these cars have changed hands, been sold through brokers & etc) so that they can make the notice mailing accurate. Approximately 2,600 dealers need to be advised of the recall, offered new repair tools, new parts tooled and the newly manufactured parts delivered to DC, packaged and shipped to dealers.

Think about this for a couple of minutes. How many people purchased cars from a local dealer? Everyone needs to be advised so that their vehicles are updated with the replacement parts.

I went back and looked at all of the posts on this subject, both the reports of failures and the subsequent discussions. The appropriate government agency has been involved and DC appears to have acted as quickly as prudent to properly fix the identified issue. Correct me if I'm wrong, but each has occurred at relatively low speeds while the vehicle was turning and or going over a bump moving the suspension. None have occurred under the most demanding conditions like autocrossing or running on a road course like Marty Usher's high mile car driven around the road course by a professional driver running at the edge during Cruisn' the Coast. Larry Lord has run two cars quite hard under very demanding conditions. I've heard tales about the Northern California people and their trips through the desert at high speed, going air-born damaging wheels and tires but??? Is there a pattern here? Take a word to the wise. Pay attention to what your car is telling you. Each report was preceded by distinct warning signs. You can read about them yourselves. Pay attention to them. If you have any question, take the vehicle in and have it inspected. Remind the service center of the known issue and have them check the ball joints.

I'm not trying to inflame this serious safety issue, I'm trying to keep it in perspective. Our high mile, knowledgeable owners are saying the same thing. Once you receive your recall notice, schedule your replacement and let's move on and enjoy our cars. These are my personal opinions based upon significant experience. I've been on both sides of the automotive business and earned my living building cars and repairing them as a professional mechanic.

By the way, if there are three hundred control arms on national back order, how is it that our owners are back on the road again?

Sorry for the long post. I don't post often so I kind of save it up.

posted 03-22-2003 11:53 AM         

I'm still driving my KAT though.

Later...

posted 03-22-2003 02:35 PM         

------------------

posted 03-22-2003 03:50 PM         

I never give the issue much thought. I bought the car to enjoy and will not change the way I use it now. When the recall comes,,,,I'll take mine in for inspection. I think the rest of us should take that deep breath and relax,,,enjoy the car. JMO

------------------


Call 911 - there is a Prowler in my garage....

What? On the car? As Rosanne Rosannadan used to say, "Oh, Nevermind."

posted 03-24-2003 02:25 PM         

does anyone happen to know if the parts will be available by the time we are "officially" notified or will we need to continue to wait?

posted 03-27-2003 11:30 PM         

I also had our parts department order in a small supply of center caps just in case we break a few doing the ball joints

block-buster

------------------