Recall Installed Incorrectly - Remedy?

[Larry Macedo]

I have a car in the shop that arrived from up north and while inspecting the car, I noticed the recall gussets were installed backwards. What is being done to rectify this problem? If the plates are flipped in the correct position, do the holes line up? Thanks!

 

[Viper Wizard]

Hi Larry,
I have done five of them already!! DC HAS NOT PAID ME YET FOR FIXING ANOTHER DEALERS SCREW-UP!! Let your Customer fight DC on that one! Tell them to call DC 800-992-1997. Good Luck

 

[Janni]

larry,
Nope - the holes don't line up - that would be to easy.... It's 10 (?) additional holes per side. Not very nice.

And what kind of a ***** installs this thing wrong anyway? I know someone has said that the recall instructions initially had a bad drawing, but have yet to see it posted and my copy was pretty early and it was right on there - clear as day, the braces are IN FRONT of the frame crossmember.

 

[ViperJoe]

And I say what BONEHEAD is looking RIGHT at the oil filter while installing the gusset plates. Doesn't "hmmmmmm.... this looks like it could BLOCK access to the oil filter" thought come into the techs peabrain?????

 

[Larry Macedo]

Well all I can say is, the Viper World is a better place with people Like Tom Sessions, Dave Jenkins, Dan Cragin and a select few others working on your cars, folks. Paying attention to detail is what it's all about and this guy must have just finished wrenching on a Neon before undertaking this project. Now how do I go about fixing this Charlie Foxtrot?

 

[Larry Macedo]

BTW, I'm actively trying to figure out how my shop can perform warranty work on your Viper's Vs taking it to a dealer that has little to no experience on these expensive cars. As of right now my clients are paying for what should be warranted since they have little faith in our local dealers. Any ideas?

 

[ViperJoe]

Larry, there were several threads on the 998 / 999 recall.
Several that were f/u. I recall one fix was to drill out the existing rivits install the gussets correctly then rivit up the holes. Ask Chuch how he repaired the one he had in his shop.

 

[Larry Macedo]

Larry, there were several threads on the 998 / 999 recall.
Several that were f/u. I recall one fix was to drill out the existing rivits install the gussets correctly then rivit up the holes. Ask Chuch how he repaired the one he had in his shop.

That's bad news if the holes don't correspond when the gussets are flipped over for proper installation. I don't mind lightening parts, but the framework is one component I don't suggest drilling holes in all over the place.

Chuck,

Did you weld over the existing holes before drilling new ones? Thanks!

 

[Both Stacks Blowin']

This has happened over here in Europe as well. Should the high-ups in the VCA not be addressing this serious issue or taking up on another thread on the board, are they all phantom people.

MB in the UK faced up to this problem, and agreed to pay for the rectification work. This included transporting the car to the garage of the owners choice if necessary. Not sure how the extra holes were dealt with. If I remember correctly, Wiper Wizard recommended "plating " over them and then painting the chassis.

 

[Viper Wizard]

Chuck,

Did you weld over the existing holes before drilling new ones? Thanks!

Yes, you can weld holes closed and grind flat, then start over again with the Gussets and new Rivits FACING FORWARD!

 

[Larry Macedo]

Thanks Chuck! I had a situation with a GTS once where an aftermarket front splitter was attached and for some strange reason it kept getting knocked off. Anyway, the holes grew from being pulled so much that I had to weld a plate on the underside of the frame rail for support. I would rather not do that again, but will if I have to in order to fix this car properly.

 

[LETHAL GTS]

We've got a local dealer that was chosen to do the updates on all the cars here in Manitoba. I think they've installed 100% of them incorrectly!
Does someone have the links to the pics showing the correct way to install these brackets. I'm afraid I'm going to have to inform a few of my friends about the incorrect installation of these brackets. Also I'm going to have to set the dealer straight so they don't continue to screw things up.
A few pics would help when I go into the dealer and tell them how to do their job
The way I come onto this was some of my buddy's were compaining about how hard it was to get their oil filter out when changing their oil.
Maybe it's time DC informed the dealers that there could be some confusion with the installation instructions.
I mean how many phone calls could that take. I can't beleive this still happening!!!!!

 

[PBJ]

Hey Guys,
I have been cutting the gusset in the middle of the cross member (removing about a inch of the gusset) and butting a new set of gussets up to it and installing them the correct way. Then I cut out the area for the oil filter and weld all the way around all 4 gussets (if you leave a gap between the two you can get a good bead to both pieces and the frame rail). I was afraid of leaving the holes in the rail if I took off the wrong gussets. The thing I see the most is bad welding on the rack support...I wouldn't trust some that I have found. I will say that I weld all of mine after using the rivets...I just feel better about welding everything.
Later,
Joe

 

[plumcrazy]

chuck, i cant believe that DC wont pay YOU to fix another dealers screwups? what are they thinking? someone has to pay for it to be fixed correctly. why in the world would that owner bring it back to the screwy dealer to just botch it up even more, he already proved he cant make it right. and why would he pay out of his pocket for another dealer to fix it right the second time around?

I swear, DC is SCREWED up bigtime. after reading this, im just happy chuck did mine.

 

[ViperJoe]

Here are 2 threads with pics:

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=263685&page=21&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=274869&Forum=All_Forums&Words=998%20999&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Old=6months&Main=274869&Search=true#Post274869

 

[GTSnake]

Yup, I was one of the guinea pigs. I have posts on this topic previously. I went around and around with DC customer service and even got to the zone rep with no compensation. Mine was done wrong and DC gave me a choice to take it to another dealer to have it corrected or they would "recommend" someone. But luckily mine was corrected and you can't tell any difference because they did a good job at welding up the rivet holes and grinding them smooth. I was frustrated as he77 but in the end I had it rectified but with patched rivet holes instead of just one set of correct holes.

 

[Viper Wizard]

Hey Guys,
I have been cutting the gusset in the middle of the cross member (removing about a inch of the gusset) and butting a new set of gussets up to it and installing them the correct way. Then I cut out the area for the oil filter and weld all the way around all 4 gussets (if you leave a gap between the two you can get a good bead to both pieces and the frame rail). I was afraid of leaving the holes in the rail if I took off the wrong gussets. The thing I see the most is bad welding on the rack support...I wouldn't trust some that I have found. I will say that I weld all of mine after using the rivets...I just feel better about welding everything.
Later,
Joe

WHAT and you call yourself a Viper Tech? There is a reason why DC is using rivets on the Gussets! It is called "Frame Flex"! By adding a second set of Gussets to the frame and then welding them all together you may have created a VERY stiff or non flexible area on the frame, witch may now result in a frame failure in another area or change the caricature/stability [handling] of the Viper!? The best way to correct the Recalls 998 & 999 when found wrong, is to remove the wrong Gussets and weld the holes closed with .045 Stainless w/rasin core and grind smooth! Then install the Gussets with the rivets ONLY in the right direction! That is what one of the Engineers at the Viper Plant told me and common sense goes a long way!

Joe don't get too offended by my words! It can be corected and it's not the end of the world. Please call me and we can discuss this Recall at length to benefit your Customers!



I would hope that no one has paid for a correction on a Recall!! The Recalls that I have corrected have come out of my pocket, and until DC pays me for another Dealers screw-up, it is up to DC and a good Viper Tech/Dealership to make it right and NOT the Customer!

And yes Daimler has lost sight "I think" of what Chrysler/Dodge means to the consumer and Dealers lataly! There are a lot of Dealers and their Techs that beleave that this Company [DC] and it's products are the VERY BEST IN THE WORLD!! I have said it before, someone tell the Doctor to call me, we have to talk!!

 

[PBJ]

Chuck,
I was told by our fine friends at DC hotline this was a good fix...they told me not to weld in the holes. They said it would weaken the rail by removing the rivets. They said either leave the gusset or weld a plate over the rivet holes. I didn't just come up with the idea off the top of my head, this was their way of fixing somebody elses screw up...no offense taken. I am just followind directions from father up the food chain.
Later,
Joe

 

[ViperJoe]

UH OH! Looks like the DC right hand doesn't know what the DC left hand is doing...er telling :-0

 

[Viper Wizard]

UH OH! Looks like the DC right hand doesn't know what the DC left hand is doing...er telling :-0

YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!!


I have now talked with "PBJ" Joe, let me tell you Viper Owners in the St. Louis go see him at King Dodge! You are in good hands!! We talked about this Recall and we both have been told two different ways of fixing this Recall that has been screwed-up by another Dealer? I wish DC departments would talk to each other! "Hello McFly, any body home?"

 

[Larry Macedo]

Interesting...Thanks for your input, guys. I just found out where the recall was performed and am going to contact the dealer principle to figure out my best course of action.

 

[luc]

Chuck,

I never had the recall done on my 00GTS (for the exact reason that most viper dealer should not be allowed to do it) but bought all the parts needed to do it.

I don't race my car and the steering rack is fine.
Being a safety recall am I correct to assume that even 10,20 years down the line, DC will still be obligated to pay for it?

Luc.

 

[ViperJoe]

but bought all the parts needed to do it.

How much did THAT cost?


LOL!!!!! 10-20 years down the road......THEY'RE having trouble NOW !!!!! ROTFLOL!!!!!
Hey sonny, 'member when we used to do that recall on them Gen2 Vipers...boy thems were the days! LOL!!!!!!

 

[luc]

ViperJoe,

Don't you think that 10 or 20 years should be plenty of time for them to learn how to do it the right way?!!!!!!!

Parts are very cheap

# CAAM9981 Reiforcement Kit (gussets + rivets ) $ 28.20
# CAAM9983 Crosmember (if needed) $ 17.28

and for what it's worth, those parts are made in Canada

Luc
00GTS

 

[ViperJoe]

Don't you think that 10 or 20 years should be plenty of time for them to learn how to do it the right way?!!!!!!!

Not based on what I have read in the above about different DC dealer tech advisors singing off of ifferent sheets of music....heck with the same sheet, they're in altogether different music BOOKS!

Man thats cheap for the recall parts. I'm surprised they don't give the consumer the open cheek special on them!