RAM 2500 Truck 4WD V10-8.0L VIN W HDC (2000)
Technical Service Bulletin # 861
Date: 000301
Recall - Front Axle/Lower Control Arm Bracket Separation
March 2000
Safety Recall No.861- Front Axle Assembly
Effective immediately, all repairs on involved vehicles are to be performed according to this recall service procedure. Service Action # 99-41 is being
cancelled. Those vehicles that have already had this repair performed. as determined by our warranty records. have been excluded from this recall.
Models
2000
(BR/BE)
Dodge Ram 2500/3500 Series Four Wheel Drive Trucks
NOTE:
This recall applies only to the above vehicles built at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant ("J" in the 11th VIN Position) from August 3, 1999 through
November 6, 1999 (MDH 080322 through 110609).
IMPORTANT:
Most of the vehicles within the above build period have already been inspected or repaired and, therefore, have been excluded from this recall.
IMPORTANT:
Some of the involved vehicles may be in dealer new vehicle inventory. Federal law requires you to stop sale and complete this recall service on these
vehicles before retail delivery. Dealers should also consider this requirement to apply to used vehicle inventory and should perform this recall on
vehicles in for service. Involved vehicles can be determined by using the DIAL VIP System.
Subject
The right lower control arm bracket may separate from the front axle assembly on 51 of the above vehicles due to a poor quality weld. Bracket
separation may cause reduced steering control and/or cause the vehicle to pull when braking, which can cause an accident without warning.
Repair
The front axle assembly must be replaced.
Parts Information
No parts will be distributed initially. Dealers should determine which axle assembly is required for each vehicle at the time the appointment is scheduled
to assure that the correct parts are available when the customer arrives. The appropriate axle assembly for the vehicle to be serviced may be determined
by:
^
Using the part code in the third column of the VIN list along with the table (involved dealers);
^
Using the VIN and part number list electronically transmitted to DIAL System Function 53 (involved dealers); or
^
Entering the VIN to the DIAL VIP System Function (sales code information) along with the table (all dealers).
In addition, each vehicle requires 8.5 pints of axle lubricant to be added to the axle assembly. Dealers should order enough axle lubricant to service
vehicles as necessary.
