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Author | Topic: Balljoints Beware!! |
Chi_Town_Prowler POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Chicago, IL |
posted 01-27-2011 08:09 AM
It was a hot summer Sunday when I was blazing down the highway, two hours from Chicago enroute to a car show. The top was down, radio blastin', the car loaded up and I was pulling my trailer. No problems to and fro. The next day I was stuck in bumper to bumper traffic on a main street going no more than 2 - 5 MPH. Suddenly I heard a loud snapping sound and the car came to a halt on its own. I got out and noticed that my right front tire had buckled. I was able to back the car out of traffic and to the nearest curb. The next day I had the car towed to a Chrysler dealer I normally deal with. I could see that the balljoint had snapped. In the meantime, I decided to do a recall check on the car and I was STUNNED to find out that the balljoints had NEVER been changed. This is even more surprising since my car now has over 50,000 miles. They could have gone out at any time!! On Wednesday the dealer informed me that the cost would be $800 to fix the single balljoint. I went to the dealer and showed them that the car was still under recall warranty. They disputed this and "wanted to do some more checking". By Tuesday the following week they told me that they were still waiting for the parts. I then went over to the parts department and began asking about something else. I then mentioned that I was waiting for the balljoints for my car and they told me THEY COULDN'T REMEMBER ANY ORDER FOR A PROWLER. I couldn't believe this!! Naturally the service person that I had been dealing with was off and the new guy didn't know what I was talking about and WANTED TO START THE PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN and wait for word from Chrysler. The next evening (Wednesday) the car was finally finished and both sides were replaced. But I will never go to that dealer ever again. Especially since my car was outside during this whole ordeal. MORAL OF THE STORY: NEVER buy any Prowler from any dealer or private individual unless they have written documentation that the balljoints had been changed. Avoid the headaches and "redtape hassles". Don't even take a chance and test drive ANY Prowler unless you've seen the balljoint recall done. If you ALREADY own a Prowler, get the recall done ASAP. These things can snap at anytime at all on a side street or on a highway. The thrill of riding in one of these cars IS NOT worth risking your life!! |
GenoTex POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Oakfield, WI, USA |
posted 01-27-2011 09:22 AM
All's well that ends well.... butttttttttttttt you sure were fortunate that it didn't happen the day before and Shame on that location. ... This message has been edited by GenoTex on 01-27-2011 at 09:24 AM |
tom112 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:bessemer, al. |
posted 01-27-2011 01:47 PM
Wasn't there a website that would let you enter the vin no.and could tell you if the recall had been done ? Does anyone remember what it was ? thanks tom |
RPL POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Rochester Hills, MI, USA |
posted 01-27-2011 03:15 PM
http://www.chrysler.com/webselfservice/chrysler/index.jsp?screenName=recall |
mikee POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:California |
posted 01-27-2011 03:38 PM
You've got to love this site. Great info thanks. |
tom112 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:bessemer, al. |
posted 01-27-2011 04:32 PM
Thanks for the info. Both of mine checked out ok. tom This message has been edited by tom112 on 01-27-2011 at 04:36 PM |
phil2237 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:PLACENTIA CALIFORNIA |
posted 01-27-2011 08:18 PM
Problem is , several of the Ball Joints that have been replaced have also failed on several Prowlers. Is the replacement one any better ? Who Knows ! |
tom112 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:bessemer, al. |
posted 01-27-2011 09:21 PM
quote: -------------------------------------------- I REALLY didn't need to hear that. To think of that happening going down the interstate is scary.
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phil2237 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:PLACENTIA CALIFORNIA |
posted 01-27-2011 10:27 PM
It seems like everyone that has failed, were either turning or going at a low speed. What is very odd is, I have been a mechanic for 38 years and have never seen a ball joint fail at high speeds, but also I have never seen a so many fail on one particular model. My guess would be the excessive bounce to the front end due to it being so light. This message has been edited by phil2237 on 01-27-2011 at 10:31 PM |
padroo POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Chesterton, IN, USA |
posted 01-28-2011 06:07 PM
Just got my prowler on New Years eve and haven't even driven it yet. I checked and mine were never done. Is there a time limit on recalls? |
Hawaiian Prowler Junkie From:Newport Beach, CA |
posted 01-28-2011 06:24 PM
Anyway to inspect the ball joints myself? what should I be looking for? any pictures of a good vs a bad ball joint ? Mine has documentation that it was done by original owner but just want to see if new ones have gone bad . |
idive POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Texas USA |
posted 01-28-2011 07:10 PM
No time limit on the recalls. Call ahead to make sure the parts are available, and searching for and reading old threads on this would be advised. Some of the oldest threads might be the best to view. They have pictures, how-to and how not to's, etc. |
jim mccormick Prowler Newbie From:40066 N. 103rd Way Scottsdale Az. |
posted 01-29-2011 11:41 AM
Do the 2000 Prowlers have the ball joint problem? I can't find anything YES or No on the web site. Jim |
idive POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Texas USA |
posted 01-29-2011 11:58 AM
ALL Prowlers. |
ALLEY CAT POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:mesa, az, USA |
posted 01-29-2011 11:58 AM
Jim > Call Tina, service manager, at Chapman Dodge in Scottsdale,,,,,and give her your VIN# to run. Tina owns a Prowler, and understands the details. If you didn't buy the car new, and don't know if the work was done for sure, she will be able to answer that question. Yes,,,,2000 Prowlers were involved in that lower ball joint recall. |
phil2237 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:PLACENTIA CALIFORNIA |
posted 01-29-2011 11:59 AM
All the Prowlers have the Ball joint problem. |
Marty Usher POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:San Antonio, Texas, United States |
posted 01-29-2011 10:30 PM
After I had the recall done and about another 35,000 miles on the Prowler the right front balljoint snapped in a parking lot after a basketball game. I suspect that looping the car 450 degrees (one full revolution and anither quarter turn) on I-65 in rush hour traffic and kissing the center concrete medium might have been a factor. Thing is, I drove the car after the spin for a couple of weeks including a 400 mile roundtrip to Ohio and back before the incident in the parking lot. Never had a problem with the driver's side. |
mikee POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:California |
posted 01-30-2011 05:06 PM
quote:
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DES Prowler Junkie From:Valencia, Ca 91355 |
posted 01-30-2011 06:26 PM
going to have to check into this for mine |
Chi_Town_Prowler POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Chicago, IL |
posted 01-31-2011 03:40 AM
My car is a 2002, so yes, all model years are suspect. The dealership in question is Napleton Chrysler located here in Chicago. |
jim mccormick Prowler Newbie From:40066 N. 103rd Way Scottsdale Az. |
posted 02-01-2011 07:47 PM
Thanks again Alley Cat. Talked to Tina and found out that the ball joints were changed in 2002. I found Tina to be very knowledgeable. I will certainly use her when I need service on my Prowler. Thanks again for you advise. Jim |
ALLEY CAT POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:mesa, az, USA |
posted 02-01-2011 08:20 PM
Your Welcome Jim! Tina owns a Prowler herself,,,and being the service manager at Chapman Dodge, is a plus for the Prowler owners to use them. She is good people! Larry |
swergemo Prowler Enthusiast From:homosassa florida |
posted 02-04-2011 07:07 AM
Had my ball joints changed at local dealer,very easy and quick.I have the orignal joints in a box,new joints are HD compared to orignals.Some one posted pics awhile back. |
fibertop Prowler Junkie From:Wasaga Beach Ontario |
posted 02-04-2011 07:13 AM
Ball joint package for sale on ebay http://cgi.ebay.ca/Front-Suspension-Lower-Ball-Joints-Joint-Package-Kit-Oe-/180617581117?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3AProwler&hash=item2a0da5923d |
Tony Goertz POA Site Supporter Administrating Kat Personal ScrapBook From:Lucan1, Ontario, Canada |
posted 02-05-2011 08:47 AM
Also beware, if control arms have been replaced after the recall was performed, the replacement control arms will have original -"recalled" ball joints. The car will still report as "recall completed" |
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