???Well I got the bad news today, rebuilt the rearend for the 2nd time, still howling. The dealer is saying it does'nt no what to do to fix the promblem! this trk has 6500 miles on it ,any body have some numbers or contacts I might talk to and get some help, the shop manager is say that d/c is saying there is nothing else it can do it's just one of those things! And man I really hate it,I really liked the trk!But can't see paying for it and putting up with the noise any help would be appreceated! ABB

 

better buisness bureau or the lemon law people would be my first guess and if you don't get any relief from them call DC your self or talk to the owner and not some pee-on in the shop. All else fails and depending on how serious you are, get a lawyer. If you need a lawyer PM me cause I have something for you and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what I have.

 

I dont know the full story. But have you taken it to another dealer to have them look at it?

 

I'd suggest trying another dealer as well. If they can't fix it by replacing the gears, they should replace the entire assembly.

 

First I'd fire off a letter to DC explaining all the circumstances of your troubles(be nice), then I'd ask the service manager for the phone number for the DC zone rep and get an appointment for them to check out your truck.
Third, I'd insist that they either completely replace the rearend assembly (I hear D/C has done it before), or buy back my truck.

Ed

 

Im in the middle of trying to get dodge to buy back my truck right now. The rules vary from state to state in my state the truck has to be out of service for a total of thirty days. Then you have to write dodge a certified letter . Explaining the problems and that you want them to buy the truck back. Dodge then has forty days to decide what they are going to do if anything. If after forty days they dont respond or you dont like ther answer. Thats when you can involve the state attorney general. The lemon law is a joke i bought my truck in the end of july.It has been out of service for 42 days and counting i dont even remember what color it is .The whole thing has left a very bad taste in my mouth i clearly have a lemon and dodge has done nothing about it. They havent responded to me as of yet > > > but good luck with your buy back

 

DC has until the end of the year to meet it's promise to shareholders of reducing it's annual expense by 1 billion dollars (to offset a 1.1 billion dollar loss last year). I'm willing to bet that every expense (including warranty expense) is being looked at. That means DC won't likely be doing anything it doesn't have to that costs it money. My advise, enforce your contract. Speak to the service manager or the owner of the dealership in a polite manner (even though you are boiling over inside) and ask to have the axle replaced with a new one if the repair has failed twice. If the dealership won't replace it and won't arrange a quick meeting with a zone rep who has the authority to replace the axle, I'd file a statement of claim against DC AND the dealership for the cost of a replacement axle assembly (installed - get the price from the dealer). DC and the dealer have to file a statement of defence within a certain period of time or you can move to have a "default judgement" entered by the court. After you file the claim, I'm sure you'll be getting a call from someone at DC or their designated attorney in your state.

You might consider getting the axle assessed by a 3rd party shop (known to be the expert in your area dealing with axles, etc.) so you have a "professional opinion" when you go to court. This might cost you a few dollars, but the Judge will be asking Dc and the dealer why they say the axle is OK when an independent 3rd party shop has said it is defective or hasn't been repaired correctly (this is why you sue the dealership as well).

I'm sure you will get quicker action than messing with an 80 day Lemon Law, which I've read is not particularly effective.

 

abb,
I have been through the same ordeal, only my first 03 was a buy back due to paint issues. The second 03 had a bad ring and pinion in the rear end,first rebuild didn't solve the problem so I informed the Service manager that I expected them to replace entire axle assy. I was told by him that this would have to be approved by area rep, so I called Dodge and explained the situation and got quick results.Your dealer should be able to get a complete axle assy. in approximately 2-3 days for replacement,dealer had truck about 4 hours for install also I contacted American Axle through their website. Their response was that all axles are quality checked before leaving factory and it probably wasn't the axle making the noise. Maybe they should hire someone to read TDR and Diesel Truck Resourse more often!

 

Let people note this thread and go a little easier on the 6.0 powerjoke owners. These dodges aren't without major issues as well...

 

I believe it is pure crap that a zone rep has to okay an axle. I got mine no prob just by the service manager ordering it. It was flown in for a two day turnaround. Mine was a seized bearing. Gotta remember that dealerships are only allowed so much warranty and then the bosses (DC) crap on their heads. DC or Ferd or whoever can build junk but the dealerships get hell for replacing too many (insert poorly designed or built part here) Been there. Been told by my service manager that we couldn't replace Windstar tierods anymore due to our warranty status. (Windstar tie rods were bad 95 to 2000 would seize, squeak and then go loose with lots of play. Ferd denied this was an issue. Our shop was 16 bays and we were going through an average of 100 tie rods a week.)