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Technical Questions & Answers Prowler steers left and right on its own :( (Page 1)
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Author | Topic: Prowler steers left and right on its own :( |
tomkovacs Prowler Newbie From:Chicago, IL |
posted 08-01-2018 09:06 AM
Hello everyone! I have a serious issue with my kat. It sounds like something rattled underneath the floor and the car just wants to go left or right on it’s own. I got out and checked the outer tie rod ends and they seem to be ok, nothing loose or anything. There is steering fluid although it’s a bit murky, has a brownish color. Did anybody ever had anything similar? With the sudden swaying motion? Thanks for any feedback! |
garysss POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Balto. Md. |
posted 08-01-2018 10:16 AM
Have you checked your ball joints? |
Tomcal POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Commack, NY, USA |
posted 08-01-2018 10:50 AM
I would get car up on a lift ASAP and start checking suspension and steering components, both Front and Rear. Inner tie rods, loose control arms, steering rack and steering shaft. As garysss mentioned, have ball joints checked. Brownish color of fluid is normal. Depending on year of car, |
tomkovacs Prowler Newbie From:Chicago, IL |
posted 08-02-2018 06:18 AM
Thanks Gents, I have checked the car again and still nothing. I have also did some research and this may be a ball joint issue as some of you suggested. This car had a failed balljoint before, my wheel broke out. It was horrific but did not crash hard and a dealer got her back on her feet for free under the balljoint recall. Then, a few years later I decided to powder coat the front suspension parts. The ball joints were removed from the lower control arms and got powder coated. A moronic Chrysler dealer south of Chicago installed the brand new ball joints upside down. Yes, upside down. Then they got new joints (at my expense of course) and installed them. Everything was ok until point but now i wonder if this is the ball joint again? They do not even have 1000 miles on them yet. Plus I moved to Switzerland in the meantime and brought the car with me so of course this is becoming a real nightmare. Anyway, I will try to find some decent car mechanic to check it out and will post the results for others to see and learn from my troubles. Thanks for the inputs. Have a great day! |
Tomcal POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Commack, NY, USA |
posted 08-02-2018 10:52 AM
It's doubtful ball joints themselves failed after a 1000 miles. But, dealer could have damaged ball joint boots leading to loss of lubrication or contamination. Ball joints are pressed into control arms. Repeated removal and install of ball joints can lead to removal of aluminum from control arm socket where ball joint is pressed into. Since you experienced a really bad dealer install, he may have messed up and distorted/enlarged control arm socket to the point where ball joint is no longer a tight press fit, but slightly loose in control arm. On Prowlers there is no secondary retainer ring to hold ball joint in place, as in most other cars. I'm hoping you find that whatever problem is, it's an easy fix. Keep us updated. This message has been edited by Tomcal on 08-02-2018 at 11:01 AM |
tomkovacs Prowler Newbie From:Chicago, IL |
posted 08-02-2018 11:00 AM
Hi Tomcal, That is what I am afraid of too! New control arm would run $2K plus shipping, matching paint, install, etc. I’ll never get that back from the morons in Illinois I’ll post the results... |
Tomcal POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Commack, NY, USA |
posted 08-02-2018 11:07 AM
tomkovacs... I edited my last post for clarity. If you find it's a loose fit balljoint/control arm issue, don't rush to buy new arms. There are ways to solve this type of problem. Hopefully it's something else. |
mslc10 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Bulverde, Texas, United States |
posted 08-02-2018 10:08 PM
I had the steering shaft replaced by dealer. I drove it home and noticed more slop in steering than when I took it in . Got home and loosened and re-torqued the bolt that connect shaft to steering column stub. This took care of problem . Car was veering left and right but steering wheel was not following the wheels....so if the steering wheel pulls in your hand as car veers then I would say this is not your cure. But if it seems like there is play in the steering, then I would loosen that bolt and re-torque it. Two dissimilar metals heat and cool and expand at different rates so it can give you some play if not re-torqued. |
tomkovacs Prowler Newbie From:Chicago, IL |
posted 08-03-2018 08:58 AM
Thanks mslc10, I’ll check it out! |
mslc10 POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Bulverde, Texas, United States |
posted 08-27-2018 09:37 PM
Any updates? |
CAT-A-TONIC POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:SANTA CLARA,CA. |
posted 08-28-2018 12:01 PM
I run this by you. Since you had the control arms removed from the car (couple of times) and since you had and incompetent dealer pull them in from the wrong side, if they followed the factory TSB spec wise, then they might have followed the incorrect torque value listed for the upper ball joints. The factory TBS has some incorrect and unnecessary procedures. If they followed them then check your upper joints. The torque value for them listed in the TSB is WAY off the proper spec. If they followed the TSB then they've over torqued them. You may have some slop in that area. |
tomkovacs Prowler Newbie From:Chicago, IL |
posted 08-28-2018 10:07 PM
Hi, thanks for the follow up and the suggestion. I’m terrible at interpreting abbreviations. What is TSB? Is there a link where I can find the correct values so I can give them to my new mechanic? I have the Prowler manual but you sound like he should not necessarily follow the values from it...thanks |
ed monahan POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 08-28-2018 10:12 PM
Technical Service Bulletin (sent to the dealers from Chrysler) |
tomkovacs Prowler Newbie From:Chicago, IL |
posted 08-29-2018 12:20 AM
Duh, ok, thanks. Do you think it’s possible that the service bulletins and service manuals have conflicting information? |
robin POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:St Thomas Ontario Canada |
posted 08-29-2018 10:13 AM
I now have a copy in my hand. It reads as follows, **************************************************** From: HUNTER, J.B. 4/17/2003 Subject: UPDATE - SAFETY RECALL C03 ATTN: Sales and Service managers To: DRALLS ALL DEALERS Update - Safety recall #C03 - Revised upper ball Joint Torque Specification Involved Vehicles: 1997-2002 (PR) Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler Torque Specification Correction The torque value specified on page 6, step 27 of the recall C03 for tightening the upper ball joint is incorrect. The proper torque specification is 65 ft. lbs. (88 N.m.) Please correct all copies of the Recall C03 to reflect the proper torque specification of 65 ft. lbs. (88 N.m.) The MDS2 and DealerCONNECT versions of this recall will be updated to reflect this change in the near future. NOTE: The torque value specified in the Prowler Service Manual will also be revised. If you have any questions regarding this action, please contact your Service and Parts District Manager. Joseph Hilger Vice-President, Global Service ************************************************ So there you have it! All of the manuals are wrong! THE QUESTION NOW SEEMS TO BE,,,WHAT WAS THE TORQUE VALUE APPLIED AT THE FACTORY? |
robin POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:St Thomas Ontario Canada |
posted 08-29-2018 10:18 AM
http://www.prowlerexcitement.com/BallJointRecall/ServiceInstructions/Page001.htm 70 for the lower. This message has been edited by robin on 08-29-2018 at 10:19 AM |
ed monahan POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Cincinnati, Oh, USA |
posted 08-29-2018 11:10 AM
Tom, the DUH was not necessary. I have had to ask lots of questions that EVERYONE knew the answer to, but if you never came across it, how would you know. |
tomkovacs Prowler Newbie From:Chicago, IL |
posted 08-30-2018 02:14 PM
Hi all, thanks for the help! This is really big! I don’t think any of the bolts were torqued properly to be hones. This time, I will go into the shop and watch them (new mechanic) do it. I’ll request an alignment to be done at the same time. I would love to do it myself but I don’t have the tools for the alignment. In any case, I’ll let you all know of the result and what the issue was once it’s done. Thanks again! |
RPL POA Lifetime Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Rochester Hills, MI, USA |
posted 08-30-2018 02:16 PM
Remember the alignment specification calls for 150# in the driver's seat if I' not mistaken. |
tomkovacs Prowler Newbie From:Chicago, IL |
posted 08-30-2018 02:18 PM
In case anybody is wondering, I am buying new nuts for the ballpoints as I believe they are one time use only and should not be torqued and retorqued again. |
Tomcal POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:Commack, NY, USA |
posted 08-30-2018 04:40 PM
NO NOT replace the lower ball joint nuts. They have a special plastic crush collar on them to prevent the ball joint stud from rotating as you tighten nut. Also, the original upper ball joint torque spec error was higher (95 ft. lbs.) than revised downward in TSB (65 ft.lbs.) Thus, upper ball joint will not be loose if torqued to 95. If upper ball joint is at, or about 65- 95, I would not touch it. |
robin POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:St Thomas Ontario Canada |
posted 08-31-2018 09:17 AM
I have spare nuts. (didn't think I would ever say that)lol I have a upper and lower. just let me know you just pay shipping I'm in Canada. We can do and over night. But that usually cost a little more. These are original never use. robin But if like Tom said the tops are not loose I would leave them alone. |
tomkovacs Prowler Newbie From:Chicago, IL |
posted 08-31-2018 03:37 PM
Ok, thank Tomcal! Question: it looks like the front right shock is toast. Since I brought the car with me to EU, I can’t just walk into a Mopar store to pick up new ones. Do any of you know how can I get new shocks (front) in Europe? |
Larry Lord Prowler Junkie Personal ScrapBook From:Colton, CA |
posted 08-31-2018 10:01 PM
I have front Koni shocks in stock and ready to ship. ------------------ |
robin POA Site Supporter Prowler Junkie From:St Thomas Ontario Canada |
posted 09-01-2018 11:45 AM
Is the car staying in the EU? If not you could wait and order a set from Larry when and if you come back to the states. It won't Effect the ride that much. |
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