posted 03-13-2003 12:44 PM         

Glad your already, Mom just shuttered when I told her.

Mom said all of us need to call DC and express our concerns.

JP, any pictures, this is good ammo.

posted 03-13-2003 01:27 PM         

A better phone call would be to the NHTSA, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/complaintsearch.cfm

Richard

posted 03-13-2003 06:02 PM         

quote:

---

Originally posted by JUST JP:
Beware,
The only warning I can give is that the steering got tight and didn't want to go to center by itself. Also, 5 days ago, noticed squealing noise coming from the suspension.

---

JP - Can you post a time frame/mileage on the symptoms? How long/how many miles ago did the steering get tight? Did not want to center occur at same time? On the squealing noise - again how many miles. Was squealing just over bumps, on turns?

Just trying to be sure I (we) can recognize possible symptoms, while waiting for recall and scheduling repairs in April.

Thanks

Marty

posted 03-13-2003 06:43 PM         

quote:

---

Don't waste your time on that phone call. I just got off the phone with Allen Walker from DC and they never heard of any problems with the Prowler and he asked me what I wanted him to do about it. I said that I wanted him to see if anyone had heard of this problem, and he said that he had no information and he was sorry.

---

As I posted a while back, this article was in the Friday, February 14, 2003 issue of the DaimlerChrysler Employee News Daily..........

quote:

---

"The Chrysler Group is also recalling 11,655 1997-2002 Chrysler and Plymouth Prowlers to replace the lower ball joint on the front suspension to prevent it from potentially separating from the control arm due to corrosion."

Obviously, they are aware of the problem and will be issuing a recall notice with regard to the problem.

---

I also found this on the Chrysler.com site:

quote:

---

Chrysler and Plymouth Prowler Recall Announced 2/14/2003
Front Control Lower Ball Joint – 1997-2002 Chrysler and Plymouth Prowlers

1997-2002 Chrysler and Plymouth Prowlers are affected by the recall. These vehicles will receive a redesigned and improved front suspension ball joint. The original lower ball joint was found to be susceptible to corrosion.

The company will begin mailing letters to customers affected by the recall in April, 2003.

If you have already experienced the problem described above and have paid to have it repaired, you may send your original receipts and/or other adequate proof of payment to the following: DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center, P.O. Box 1040, St. Charles, MO 63302-1040, Attention: Reimbursement.

We trust this answers any questions you may have on this recall.

Document ID: NOBRD152852

---

Please note that this notice on their site states they will be mailing the recall notices in April, 2003

posted 03-13-2003 11:13 PM         

First,
Thanks to all that have posted. Be aware, I typed up a long thanks and lots of info, but forgot to type in my password, when I hit the back button, it erased ALL the info I had typed. I will attempt to remember it all.

Second,
My BIGGEST concern is the safety of my fellow Kat owners. This ball joint will fail when you LEAST expect it. If your Kat feels like the steering is getting tight OR doesn't want to return to center by itself; DO NOT drive it. Again, a visual inspection of the joint WILL NOT indicate that it is ok.

Third,
According to my parts guy, my lower control arm is on NATIONAL BACK ORDER! There are none available in ALL of the US. There are 300 projected to come out of manufactoring on the 25th of April, yes April. I will keep everyone informed of the info as I receive it.

posted 03-14-2003 08:23 AM         

quote:

---

Originally posted by JUST JP:
Marty,
The squealing was in a parking lot about 5 days before it popped. Steering got tight about a week before.

---

JP - thank you for the information. I will be listening for any squealing and am already paying attention to the steering feel. I hope I don't get paranoid about it and can just remain cautious. I know it must be hard to not be able to drive your kat for that long of a period. You'll have to get your Prowler fix by posting more here. I hope the parts you need come in early.

posted 03-14-2003 06:03 PM         

I will have to wait to give a name, until this person gives me the ok; but I just received a private message saying that they had an A-arm for me. If all goes well, I'll be Prowlin' again by Monday or Tuesday.

posted 03-14-2003 06:51 PM         

Is there perhaps a pattern here? That the ball joint failures are associated with the rough cast A-arms (circa model years 2000 forward)?

If my ball joint failed before DC honored the recall..and something happened to Jack ..I'd be on death row along with Koz!

DC, if you're listening..get with it before someone gets hurt!!

posted 03-14-2003 08:15 PM         

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chromer:
Is there perhaps a pattern here? That the ball joint failures are associated with the rough cast A-arms (circa model years 2000 forward)?

---

posted 03-14-2003 08:51 PM         

Results : 1 | All records displayed
Make : PLYMOUTH Model : PROWLER Year : 2000
Crash : No Fire : No Number of Injuries: 0
ODI ID Number : 10004924 Date of Failure: November 18, 2002
Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
Summary:
BALL JOINT BROKE OFF .. FRONT RIGHT .


Found it. This is someone else though. My date of failure will be 12 MAR 03.

------------------
2000 Black Kat
"self-proclaimed" poorest Prowler owner

mods:
1) ceramic pads 2) Bill's 2.1 intake with EGR bypass 3) "cracked ice" shimmers
4)51,000+ (s)miles

posted 03-16-2003 09:19 AM         

------------------
Bill Gallagher
1999 Red
www.MagicTouchDesigns.com

• MTD Prowler Intake System 2.2
• MTD Bypass Kit
• MTD Suspension Frame Braces
• Other Modifications

posted 03-21-2003 06:55 PM         

Where to begin...
First,
Yes Larry, I'm offended. Your post on the "oh yeahs" could fit me perfectly. BUT, I DID listen to her. I DID tell my tech. I DID try to get DC to replace mine. 24 hours before my passenger ball joint failed, I was getting an oil change at my dealership. I informed my tech of the recall and of my symptoms; he not only drove my Kat, but inspected the ball joints as well. He saw NO SIGNS of corrosion or problems. I am fully confident of his knowledge and skills as a tech. So, I ask you, are you justified with those statements?

Second,
For those that think you can take your Kat down to your dealership and pay for the "new" arms and then get reimbursed... think again! There are NONE available. Go ahead, call and ask. They are currently on NATIONAL BACK ORDER. The company that makes them is projected to have 300 made on the 25th... of APRIL!
Now, does that sound like DC is pushing to get this done quickly? I think not. Does someone have to get seriously hurt or killed before they start pushing to get this done?
That's what I would like people to start thinking about.