| From | Message |
Randy Miller
Dodge Dakota
12/03/2001
17:43:16
|
 Subject: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
1 month ago I was involve in an accident. A car hit me from behind at around 30 miles an hour while i was at a complete stop.We'll I decided to take it to the dealer to get it fixed. They kept it 3 weeks and I went there 3 times to refuse to take it because 1 back tire was sunk in while the other was sticking out from the body. Finally they talked me into taking it home for the weekend to see how it drives etc. The next Monday I took it back because I didnt feel comfortable taking my family in it, due to the above. So I took it to the Service Manager since the Body shop manager said it was normal that the frame was square and all the holes line up on the bed and the cross beams.So the Service manager took 1 look at it and said the bed was cocked, and it would be fixed right this time. We'll they kept it a week and it looks right. But, when i looked under the bed the drilled all the holes 2x's bigger on all cross beams, and it appears they just slid the bed over to make it look correct. Is a 2001 Dodge Dakota Club Cad w/ 4,000 miles, and I only had it 5 months. To my fellow dodge owners hopefully I am explaining what they did correctly. The bed is bolted down to cross beams there a 3 of them. they drilled out all of them bigger and even cut one in a square. Can they do this?
|
snowman
Dodge Dakota
12/03/2001
18:29:29
|  RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
Major law suit. It has to be repaired to your'e standards as well as chrysler. Talk to a lawyer and get pictures of the repairs.
|
CW
GenIII
12/03/2001
20:06:24
|  RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
The axle is either off set a little or the bed is out of alignment because my truck has been like that since day one. Nothing to worry about.
2001 4.7 5sp 3.92 LSD sport plus
Ported throttle body, IAT adjuster, flowmaster cat back, adjusted TPS from .51v to .76v
Working on custom 4" cold air intake
|
Randy
Dodge Dakota
12/03/2001
20:36:04
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
CW,
So what you are saying is that it is okay to re drill oval shape holes in order to slid the the bed into alignment? This was done to all 6 holes on 3 cross beams.Remember these are welded to the frame. Man I wouldnt let my daughter or wife in a vechicle that was modified like that!
|
dak
Dodge Dakota
12/03/2001
21:24:20
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
Do you know a bodyshop you can trust? I would call around and see what they say,I don't blame you for being upset,even a lunkhead like me coulda drilled the holes out to make it fit..
|
CW
GenIII
12/03/2001
21:30:03
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
What I am saying is that it is PROBABLY a bed alignment problem that you may not have noticed before the accident. I have seen many posts of bed alignment problems. Yes this is a safe way to align the bed a long as the frame integrity is still good and straight. Since you are very concered about the safety of the truck then maybe take the truck to a body shop and have the frame checked. That way you can be for d@mn sure that it is safe. A second opinion is always good.
My rear axle on my truck sticks out 3/4 of a inch more on the right side but this really doesn't bother me.
2001 4.7 5sp 3.92 LSD sport plus
Ported throttle body, IAT adjuster, flowmaster cat back, adjusted TPS from .51v to .76v
Working on custom 4" cold air intake
|
Randy
Dodge Dakota
12/03/2001
21:57:38
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
What pisses me off the most is they lied and said it was a bent bolt! Also, one of the holes they opened the bolt doesnt even make contact w/ it, and it seems like they took some kind of tool and bent the frame about 1 foot it looks like they tried to straighten it out. And the fender is rubbing against the body and wore the paint off already
|
CW
GenIII
12/03/2001
22:04:00
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
Sounds like there are still some issues to fix. They should do it with no problem unless you are tired of taking it there.
2001 4.7 5sp 3.92 LSD sport plus
Ported throttle body, IAT adjuster, flowmaster cat back, adjusted TPS from .51v to .76v
Working on custom 4" cold air intake
|
Randy
Dodge Dakota
12/03/2001
22:18:01
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
What I am afraid of is in order to fix it they have to replace those cross members, and in order to do that they have to take the weld off and reweld new ones cause the frame to become weak. Sice welding sticks are high in carbon.
|
Randy
Dodge Dakota
12/03/2001
22:24:48
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
What I am afraid of is in order to fix it they have to replace those cross members, and in order to do that they have to take the weld off and reweld new ones cause the frame to become weak. Sice welding sticks are high in carbon.
|
Randy
Dodge Dakota
12/05/2001
20:23:55
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
Anyone else have any input on what I should do? Because I complained to the General Manager and he all but told me I was a liar and that the section of frame that is bowed is from the accident!! Whic I know it isnt since the body shop manager lifted the truck on a lift and showed me and my wife that the frame was in good condition and that all the bolts were replaced on the frame holding down the bed. I took it 3 body shops that told me that the frame is bent that the holes were cut out atleat some of them were. Also, since its only 5 month old it seems like they scratched the hell out of the cab. Also there are 2 lemon size dents on the hood which were not there earlier. One body shop told me they didnt fix the frame but just adjusted the bed by making the holes bigger to make the truck look like it looks ok. The worst part is the left bumper is completely against the body rubbing the paint off. The body shop said since I was hit from hehind that a portion of the frame moved forward. What do all think?
|
Broeheem
Gen III
12/05/2001
22:01:21
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
Please publish the name of this dealer (and the name of the General Manager).
I need a new victim.
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
|
Randy
Dodge Dakota
12/05/2001
22:02:07
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
What do u mean by that?
|
Broeheem
Gen III
12/05/2001
23:52:21
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
Here's what I mean:
I'm a consumer advocate/crusader.
After reading your initial post, I'm irritated that the dealer that performed the "repairs" on your truck is giving you excuses and attitude. You deserve to be treated better than that. Repair and body shops charge a MINT for their skills, and that should be reflected in the end result. When it's not, someone's not doing their job.
I've been through this before, and I've found that a few phone calls or a letter work wonders.
I'm suggesting that you identify the dealership so that I can help them realize that the customer is king, and that some of us aren't going to settle for sub-standard workmanship.
I wasn't planning to reference you (or anyone else) in my communication with them.
Patriot Blue 2001 SLT Plus Club Cab
4.7L./multi-spd auto/3.55 LSD
|
HSKR
Dodge Dakota
12/06/2001
16:10:40
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
Go back to the body shops that said the frame was bent, and get written statements and estimates on how much it would cost to fix. Take these to the dealer and se what they say when you provice them with written and signed statements and estimates. If the dealer oes nothing, take it to a lawyer, and report them to the Better Busines Bureau
|
BigG
*GenIII*
12/06/2001
16:33:37
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
1st of all, GET THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT CHECKED! A four wheel alignment will definitly indicate a bent frame & the cause of the problem (it's better than guessing & pointing fingers) It'll also help document the damages, if you go to court. And 2nd, body shop's don't charge a mint, a properly equipped body shop costs a mint to operate. If the shop(s) you bring the truck to are serious, they will put the truck on the frame mechine, measure it and tell you what's wrong. Not get under & "look" at it.
Take it from experience, I've been running a bodyshop for over 18 years, new cars (and trucks) are made like $hit. Body panels rarely fit as you'd expect them to. Get a 4 wheel alignment 1st, it's the cheapest means of satisfaction. Then If they can't align it properly go to a qualified body shop and have the frame measured.
2001, 3.9, 2wd, Auto, Club Cab, SLT Plus, Sport Suspension
Autolite 3923's, 180 T-Stat, Borg Warner Brass Cap & Rotor, Flowmaster Delta Flow 50 Cut In, Speedtweeks Stage 1 Kit, (Intense intake, 5.2 TB - Ported & Polished, Cable Kit & IAT Adjuster)
Long Island, New York
|
BigG
*GenIII*
12/07/2001
15:03:43
| RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
.
2001, 3.9, 2wd, Auto, Club Cab, SLT Plus, Sport Suspension
Autolite 3923's, 180 T-Stat, Borg Warner Brass Cap & Rotor, Flowmaster Delta Flow 50 Cut In, Speedtweeks Stage 1 Kit, (Intense intake, 5.2 TB - Ported & Polished, Cable Kit & IAT Adjuster)
Long Island, New York
|
Relentless
Dodge Dakota
12/09/2001
16:19:11
|  RE: Please help, is this LEGAL?
IP: Logged
Message:
NO it is not legal and you should listen to Broeheem. You need to publicize the name of the dealer & shop manager because this will work to your advantage. This will bring pressure upon the said dealership and people will begin avoiding them like the plague. I would also go directly to the top and contact DC with your complaint and also supply them with the dealership info. With a good lawyer and documentation this should be a piece of cake in court.IMHO
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
