Steering wheel creaking
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Steering wheel creaking
I finally got the truck in to fix the steering wheel creak. It was getting pretty bad and loud. They said it was the intermediate shaft or something in the steering column and replaced it under warranty. I got the truck back and it was silent. It was really weird not having the creaking sound any more.
Unfortunately the creaking sound is back. The silence lasted for all of maybe 6 days. Now it's not as loud but occurs just as much.
Has anyone had this same problem? What did they do to fix it? And wasn't there a TSB on the older Dakota's for this? I would swear there was.
I've put a wrench on all the bolts under there but they are all nice and tight. The sound is definitely in the steering column and not outside.
Signed: Bummed in Colorado
Unfortunately the creaking sound is back. The silence lasted for all of maybe 6 days. Now it's not as loud but occurs just as much.
Has anyone had this same problem? What did they do to fix it? And wasn't there a TSB on the older Dakota's for this? I would swear there was.
I've put a wrench on all the bolts under there but they are all nice and tight. The sound is definitely in the steering column and not outside.
Signed: Bummed in Colorado
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I had the exact same problem. They replaced the clock spring, didnt fix it. Finally they replaced the intermediate shaft and it did the trick. Hasnt come back in two years.
I will still put my money on the intermediate shaft. Go back to dodge tell them the noise is back. The shaft has some kind of lubrication issue, cant remember off the top of my head. The replacements arent any different then the factory installed one, so who knows if the problem will come back for me down the road.
Chances are they will have to isntall another shaft, or re-install the same shaft again to deal with the noise issue.
I will still put my money on the intermediate shaft. Go back to dodge tell them the noise is back. The shaft has some kind of lubrication issue, cant remember off the top of my head. The replacements arent any different then the factory installed one, so who knows if the problem will come back for me down the road.
Chances are they will have to isntall another shaft, or re-install the same shaft again to deal with the noise issue.
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So I dropped the truck off Tuesday night for the steering wheel creaking issue. I get the truck back today and they said there was a burr that was rubbing and the bolt on the intermediate shaft was misaligned. The tech even made a nice drawing of the problems and what he did to fix them. Anyway, I drive off the lot and all is well and quiet.
I do some grocery shopping with my wife and then stop and get the truck washed. As soon as I get within a mile of home (we live about 26 miles from the dealer) the damned thing starts making a really bad clunking sound from the steering column. I can feel the clunk in the steering wheel.
I'm really starting to get irritated. I need the truck for the weekend so I'm going to have to drive it like this. They don't loan out cars nor do they even rent them so I'm stuck until I can find the time to drop it back off yet again.
I do some grocery shopping with my wife and then stop and get the truck washed. As soon as I get within a mile of home (we live about 26 miles from the dealer) the damned thing starts making a really bad clunking sound from the steering column. I can feel the clunk in the steering wheel.
I'm really starting to get irritated. I need the truck for the weekend so I'm going to have to drive it like this. They don't loan out cars nor do they even rent them so I'm stuck until I can find the time to drop it back off yet again.
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I just checked into the Colorado Lemon Law and apparently the problem must substantially impair the use and market value of the vehicle. And, you have one year from the delivery date of purchasing the vehicle to bring the problem to the notice of the manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer. My "one year" will be up on Jan 26. And the dealership has four tries to get it right or the vehicle has to be out of service due to repair for more than 30 days.
So, does it affect the market value? Maybe. Does it affect the use? Not quite sure how to define that one.
I'll turn it back in next week and see what they say. That would be their third attempt at getting it right.
Posting this below just in case anyone from Colorado is searching for the same info.
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42-10-102 Repairs to conform vehicle to warranty.
So, does it affect the market value? Maybe. Does it affect the use? Not quite sure how to define that one.
I'll turn it back in next week and see what they say. That would be their third attempt at getting it right.
Posting this below just in case anyone from Colorado is searching for the same info.
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42-10-102 Repairs to conform vehicle to warranty.
If a motor vehicle does not conform to a warranty and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer during the term of such warranty or during a period of one year following the date of the original delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever is the earlier date, the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer shall make such repairs as are necessary to conform the vehicle to such warranty, notwithstanding the fact that such repairs are made after the expiration of such term or such one-year period.
42-10-103 Failure to conform vehicle to warranty - replacement or return of vehicle.
(1) If the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer is unable to conform the motor vehicle to the warranty by repairing or correcting the defect or condition which substantially impairs the use and market value of such motor vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer shall, at its option, replace the motor vehicle with a comparable motor vehicle or accept return of the motor vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the full purchase price, including the sales tax, license fees, and registration fees and any similar governmental charges, less a reasonable allowance for the consumer's use of the motor vehicle. Refunds shall be made to the consumer and lien holder, if any, as their interests may appear. A reasonable allowance for use shall be that amount directly attributable to use by the consumer and any previous consumer prior to the consumer's first written report of the nonconformity to the manufacturer, agent, or dealer and during any subsequent period when the vehicle is not out of service by reason of repair.
(a) It shall be presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to the warranty if:42-10-103 Failure to conform vehicle to warranty - replacement or return of vehicle.
(1) If the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer is unable to conform the motor vehicle to the warranty by repairing or correcting the defect or condition which substantially impairs the use and market value of such motor vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer shall, at its option, replace the motor vehicle with a comparable motor vehicle or accept return of the motor vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the full purchase price, including the sales tax, license fees, and registration fees and any similar governmental charges, less a reasonable allowance for the consumer's use of the motor vehicle. Refunds shall be made to the consumer and lien holder, if any, as their interests may appear. A reasonable allowance for use shall be that amount directly attributable to use by the consumer and any previous consumer prior to the consumer's first written report of the nonconformity to the manufacturer, agent, or dealer and during any subsequent period when the vehicle is not out of service by reason of repair.
(i) The same nonconformity has been subject to repair four or more times by the manufacturer, its agent, or its authorized dealer within the warranty term or during a period of one year following the date of the original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer, whichever is the earlier date, but such nonconformity continues to exist; or
(ii) The motor vehicle is out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of thirty or more business days of the repairer during the term specified in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a) or during the period specified in said subparagraph (I), whichever is the earlier date.
(b) For the purposes of this subsection (2), the term of a warranty, the one-year period, and the thirty-day period shall be extended by any period of time during which repair services are not available to the consumer because of war, invasion, strike, or fire, flood, or other natural disaster.
(c) In no event shall a presumption under paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) apply against a manufacturer unless the manufacturer has received prior written notification by certified mail from or on behalf of the consumer and has been provided an opportunity to cure the defect alleged. Such defect shall count as one nonconformity subject to repair under subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2).
(d) Every authorized motor vehicle dealer shall include a form, containing the manufacturer's name and business address, with each motor vehicle owner's manual on which the consumer may give written notification of any defect, as such notification is required by paragraph (c) of this subsection (2), and the form shall clearly and conspicuously disclose that written notification by certified mail of the nonconformity is required, in order for the consumer to obtain remedies under this article.
(ii) The motor vehicle is out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of thirty or more business days of the repairer during the term specified in subparagraph (I) of this paragraph (a) or during the period specified in said subparagraph (I), whichever is the earlier date.
(b) For the purposes of this subsection (2), the term of a warranty, the one-year period, and the thirty-day period shall be extended by any period of time during which repair services are not available to the consumer because of war, invasion, strike, or fire, flood, or other natural disaster.
(c) In no event shall a presumption under paragraph (a) of this subsection (2) apply against a manufacturer unless the manufacturer has received prior written notification by certified mail from or on behalf of the consumer and has been provided an opportunity to cure the defect alleged. Such defect shall count as one nonconformity subject to repair under subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (2).
(d) Every authorized motor vehicle dealer shall include a form, containing the manufacturer's name and business address, with each motor vehicle owner's manual on which the consumer may give written notification of any defect, as such notification is required by paragraph (c) of this subsection (2), and the form shall clearly and conspicuously disclose that written notification by certified mail of the nonconformity is required, in order for the consumer to obtain remedies under this article.
Last edited by spshultz; Aug 21, 2009 at 08:30 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: IL
Had my first Dak lemon lawed here in IL they took Five attempts (law required only 3) and still could not get it right so got the new truck and of course had to add some options. Start getting a log together and keep up with the dealer OR they will blow you off and no chance on the lemon law.
PS
No need even for a lawer....
PS
No need even for a lawer....
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Posts: 1,513
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I wouldnt go THAT far, especially if you like your truck. It's an easy fix, I'm sure this time there going to replace the entire shaft. Or, they might have installed it incorrectly after the first fix.
The dealership I have by me, luckily, is one of the very best dealers I have ever dealt with, and that goes with my experience at toyota, chevy, and now my dodge. They say Chrysler has one of the worst reps for service and warranty coverage. But even after My larger tires, leveling kit, and other modifications I made, they have always wound up doing the repairs I needed, and FAST, next day on parts they didnt have in stock, and even faster if they do have the parts. They replaced my power steering rack in about 90 minutes including the alignment, and without even asking the alignment guy even did small tweaks in the alignment for my larger tires, and came out to talk to me about it when the vehicle was done.
I am sure your dealer can fix this problem for good.
The dealership I have by me, luckily, is one of the very best dealers I have ever dealt with, and that goes with my experience at toyota, chevy, and now my dodge. They say Chrysler has one of the worst reps for service and warranty coverage. But even after My larger tires, leveling kit, and other modifications I made, they have always wound up doing the repairs I needed, and FAST, next day on parts they didnt have in stock, and even faster if they do have the parts. They replaced my power steering rack in about 90 minutes including the alignment, and without even asking the alignment guy even did small tweaks in the alignment for my larger tires, and came out to talk to me about it when the vehicle was done.
I am sure your dealer can fix this problem for good.