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Prowler Ball Joint Recall
recall done - so was DAMAGE (Page 2)
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ProwlerOnline, Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler Discussion Forum
Prowler Ball Joint Recall
recall done - so was DAMAGE (Page 2)
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| This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2 This topic was originally posted in this forum: Political Off Topic |
| Author | Topic: recall done - so was DAMAGE |
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idive Prowler Junkie Posts: 8483 |
posted 04-13-2003 12:04 AM
I had my recall done last Tuesday. Mine was the first one they did. After reading all the post of the center caps, I made sure to check mine before and after. No problems there that I can see, so I left, garaged and covered the car. But they left my parts with grease on them so I washed the car today *Saturday*. Upon closer inspection I found that they scratched (almost dented) my lower control arm on BOTH sides, assumingly with the tool they used, because the marks were identical and in the same location. Before the work was done, I asked if they had the special tools needed for this recall and was told (sternly) that their mechanics had all the tools they need. They also scratched both front rims. In reading all the posts here I seem to recall one stating that the lower control arms of the type on the '97 Prowlers are no longer available. The rims are of the same type (shiny and smooth). Does anyone have any info on this? Suggestions on how I should handle this? BEWARE, and inspect yours before you leave the dealer!  |
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Andy R Prowler Junkie Posts: 760 |
posted 04-13-2003 05:40 AM
Sorry to hear about the problems. What a horrible way for them to respond to your concerns. That is why I sat and WATCHED the work being done. I asked to watch and they said it was OK, if not I would have gone to another dealer. 3 hours of my time is well worth my piece of mind. |
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Al's Prowler Prowler Junkie Posts: 1374 |
posted 04-13-2003 06:34 AM
That's terrible news, how in the world did they scratch your wheels? I'd return to the dealer asap and show them the damage, they need to correct the damage they did to your Kat. Good luck. Al |
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idive Prowler Junkie Posts: 8483 |
posted 04-13-2003 10:43 AM
I really dont know how they did the damage. The rims, one had gouges in it and the other one had several scratches about 3" long. Its almost like they initially attempted to remove the ball joint with the tire on which just doesn't make sense, but I have no idea how they did all the damage. |
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BeWare Prowler Junkie Posts: 18511 |
posted 04-13-2003 04:01 PM
The shiney and smooth control arms on the 97's and some 99's are an discontinued item and no longer avaialble. Unless the can find some old inventory somewhere, yours will have to be refinished. They possibly may require powder coating. |
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Hollywood Prowler Junkie Posts: 543 |
posted 04-14-2003 03:45 PM
take some pics. |
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Todd Cameron unregistered Posts: 543 |
posted 04-14-2003 04:13 PM
oooo, I would be SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pissed! |
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Mike Krehel Administrating Kat Posts: 3047 |
posted 04-14-2003 04:45 PM
Idive, so sorry to hear you had problems with the recall.  Could you please give us the name of the Dealership that did the ball joint replacement so they don't claim another victim in Houston? ------------------ |
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idive Prowler Junkie Posts: 8483 |
posted 04-14-2003 06:09 PM
*sorry for length* I took the car back to the dealer today (Archer at 59 south just outside Beltway 8) and the service manager there was aware I was coming out so he skedaddled offsite leaving me to deal with his 2nd in command. He didn't really understand why I was so upset, saying they really couldn't do much if the parts were discontinued. Stated their tools would not do that to the arm and that he couldn't see how the rims would get scratched. The Prowler certified mechanic was also there but said nothing. I tried explaining to him that the arm was not a part of the recall work (he thought it was still a single unit with the ball joint), so when asking that the arms be replaced if possible, he was telling me that putting the new ball joint in them would result in the same problem. I told him he wasn't going to convince me that everyone having this recall done was going to end up with damaged control arms. He said I was entitled to my opinion. He said he would report it to Chrysler and let them decide what to do. After I left him, I went around front and spoke with Jeff Archer, the owner, about it. He said, give him a couple days. He might know someone that can help me. When I got home, the guy in service called me with an answer. He confirmed the shiny smooth arms are not available. Only the dull rough ones are. But the rims ARE available and they will replace those. It was up to me to decide what to do. They don't have the machine there to bust the tires so when the rims come in they will have to be sent out to be swapped. I'm looking at about a 2 day turnaround when they come in. When I told him I spoke with Jeff Archer, HE WAS PISSED and said that it was just going to delay things now. I then called Jeff back and he said he talked to someone that said they would be able to buff and clearcoat the arms for me, just to let him know when. That would be better than trying to paint new ones and would allow my arms to match better in the end. The scratch will still be there but at least the blemish will be sealed from the weather and the arms will be "repaired". Rims are now on order and I will let Jeff know when they come in and get it all done at one time. I would like to say, I always had a positive experience with this dealership, til now, with the single exception of one visit for radio noise where Chrysler brass was at the dealership and 6 miles were added to my car along with some food and coke in the seat. I think I'm headed out to find a new dealership for any future work. I'm not thrilled with sending the rims off so I might ask if I can just take the car to 'whoever' myself and oversee things, if local. I'll let you know how things go. I'll try getting some pics of all this soon. |
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CJ Prowler Junkie Posts: 18860 |
posted 04-14-2003 08:56 PM
idive..........you can also file a complaint with the Chrysler Customer Center and see if they can help. They will assign a case number and you can request that they contact your local zone office (now called Business Offices) and see if they can investigate the situation with the dealer. Their number is 800.992.1997. That way, you will have a complaint on file, also. |
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idive Prowler Junkie Posts: 8483 |
posted 04-15-2003 03:31 PM
Thanks CJ - I think I will give them a call, but to keep them from getting further ticked off at me before they fix it, I think I'll wait until after. Besides, I may end up with more complaints by then... LOL. For those of you that want to see the damage pictures, I took some with and without flash but they were kind of hard to get good shots of. My camera isn't too good. I spent all my money on the car. But, here is the site for the pictures. http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/dakota/762/recalldamage.html This message has been edited by idive on 05-03-2003 at 04:58 PM |
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