rotbaron
Hendersonville TN.
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Joined: 08/12/2004
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It has taken me two days to calm down enough to talk about this. First my background. Worked on vehicles since 57, professionally since 69, and taught mechanics since 79. ASE Master Auto, Master HD Truck, & Collision repair & Paint. Worked for GM, Chrysler, AMC dealers as well as Aston's, Jags, and other high end imports. I also work as a consultant and expert witness in automotive litigation. My tool collection inventory is over $250K.
My 05 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD had the belt replaced at 12K since something was eating the edge off the belt. When I returned this week at 34K because the belt was eaten up again and screaming this time(the belt not me) I was told I needed to leave the truck. Fine I return home and get the wife to follow me the 25 miles back to the dealership only to be told warranty won't cover the belt. ( why didn't the dipstick in the service dept tell me this the first time?) I tell them to forget it since they couldn't fix the truck right the first time why would I expect them to fix it correctly now? I go to Napa and pick up a new belt. When I get home I remove the old belt and find one of the eight ribs is gone. I check all the pulleys and find the pulley on the tensioner has an edge as rough as one of those cable survival saws. So now I get to spend $225 out of my pocket for what should have been covered under warranty.
If dealers and manufacturers spent more time keeping customers happy and less trying to save a few dollars they might sell more vehicles. The wife has been waiting for the new Dodge Challenger SRT to come out. Since Dodge's warranty isn't worth the paper it is written on It looks like a new Mustang Shelby Cobra is in our future.
I know where I would like to stick the tensioner. May Karma rule.
05 Dodge CTD DRW 4x4
04 Citation 30T TT
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~DJ~
Boise, Idaho
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Joined: 05/10/2005
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That pulley problem is a known fact at dieselram.com
05 Dodge Ram 3500 SLT SC DRW 4X4 CTD G56 373's CAI,Edge Juice/Attitude,Jake,Rancho9000x,Torklift tie downs,Superhitch,Stable Loads
04 S&S Avalanche 9' with slide
26th Marines RVN 69-70 Semper Fi
M-14 was the only Woodstock I saw in 1969.
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BurbMan
Long Island, NY
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Joined: 09/20/2001
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~DJ~ wrote:That pulley problem is a known fact at dieselram.com
Then why don't the dealers know about it??
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reno82
Cardiff by the Sea, CA
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Joined: 04/01/2008
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Hate to ask this since you worked for a dealer, but have you taken their refusal to fix it under warranty to Dodge customer service? My family owned a dealership when I was growing up and I know my dad hated to hear from GM about an unhappy customer. I always let the dealer know I'm going to corporate before I do, many times they have changed their tune under that threat. This is for GM, but I would think Dodge has the same corporate customer service.
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BruceStarkey
Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 05/02/2004
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Before I'd pop for the over $200 for a new assy, I'd probably hit a local machine shop and ask if they could clean the edge of the pulley in a lathe. A good dealer wouldn't force you into that of course, but the words "good" and "dealer" don't appear in the same sentance as often now as in the past.
Today is just the tomorrow you worried about yesterday!
'04' International 4400 LoPro 310Hp/950FtLbs 10Spd Harley/RV Toter
'05' Mobile Suites 38RL3
'01' Harley Ultra in the bike barn.
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rotbaron
Hendersonville TN.
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Joined: 08/12/2004
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BruceStarkey wrote:Before I'd pop for the over $200 for a new assy, I'd probably hit a local machine shop and ask if they could clean the edge of the pulley in a lathe. A good dealer wouldn't force you into that of course, but the words "good" and "dealer" don't appear in the same sentance as often now as in the past.
The belt is $47 the tensioner list for $174 wholesale I can get from a friend who owns a NAPA store for $140. The pulley is phenolic plastic and does not lend itself to being machined. I have access to a full machine shop at school. It would be nice if you could buy the pulley and bearing instead of the whole assembly but we live in a disposable age.
As for contacting corporate I will after I cool down to the point where I can articulate calmly. However I have already fixed the truck and since the warranty is out the dealer won't have to worry about seeing any more of my money. If I need OEM parts I can order them wholesale of the internet.
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JFordBronco
Ball, LA
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Joined: 06/11/2008
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I had a similiar experince yesterday while test driving Dodges. While at the Dodge dealership, I went and selected an early 07 2500 4x4 with the 5.9 in it. We hopped in and I hit the AC since it was well into the 90's already the AC blew hot, I asked if they would fix it and the man riding with me said sure - for an additional charge. I couldn't believe that crap. When we got back, I looked at it some more and it had been wrecked - none of the body lines lined upd and it dripped oil from somewhere on the passenger side - it looked like behind the driver front wheel. Never will I buy from them at M&M Dodge in Alexandria
2007 Nissan Titan Off-Road w/ leveling kit---THIS THING IS A PIECE OF JUNK
2008 Jayco Jayflight 28BHS
Me, wife, one little girl and one little boy
all along for the ride.
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Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
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Joined: 05/14/2004
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Dodge service is the main reason I left the brand. Known issues with front brake calipers and automatic transmission for MY '98. While under 3yr/36k mile warranty, dealer refused to replaced siezed calipers or correct a tranny that downshifted to 1st/2nd gear above 40mph. Service was horrible, Chrysler didn't give a hoot. I said goodbye Chrysler. Beware of a certain Ford/Dodge dealer in Waldorf, Md, and they are extending their reach by buying up the smaller dealers in the area. It was a good truck, but lacked dealer/factory support.
Capt Skup
AD-1(AW)USN Ret.
Wonderful Wife, 3 beautiful Daughters
"Never get in a battle of wits with an unarmed man"
2008 F-450 Lariat 4x4
2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
SunlineF281SR
SeaRay215EC
http://community.webshots.com/user/CaptSkup?vhost=community
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Turbo Diesel Dude
Green Mountain, NC
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Joined: 01/10/2005
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I must be one of the more fortunate ones who has had no problems on my 2005 QC CTD 4X4 48RE automatic. That and my trouble free Savoy LX 2006 TT. 67500 on truck.
charles weidman
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camping man
Central Fla.
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Joined: 09/01/2001
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It all depends on the dealer(service manager), the one I worked for would bend over backwards to accommodate customers. I even had to pick up a new tire for a little old lady that ran over a nail one time, I know that wasn't in the Dodge warranty coverage, but she'd probably buy a Dodge next time around, and the owner knew this. The problem is, nobody wants to earn their customers anymore, they figure the shingle on the building is all that's needed, but that's why they go out of business.
05 Dodge 2500 Quadcab CTD NV5600/3.73rears
97 27ft.Sprinter 5er
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