NHTSA Complaint #10127896 — 1997 DODGE INTREPID

DEAR SIR OR MADAM, I OWN A 1997 DODGE INTREPID ES. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, MY RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE INSTALLED THE NEW RACK AND PINION, BUT I STILL HEARD INTERMITTENT "CLUNKING" NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT END. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO HIM, HE CHECKED IT, TIGHTENED IT AND SAID IT SHOULD BE FINE. THIS PAST FRIDAY (07/01/05), I WENT TO BACK OUT OF A FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY AND HEARD ONE BIG CLUNK... THEN REALIZED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL HAD COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM BOTH FRONT WHEELS! I HAD THE CAR TOWED AND THE (NEW) MECHANIC REALIZED THAT THE (ORIGINAL) BOLTS HOLDING THE INNER TIE RODS HAD BOTH SNAPPED AT ONCE. HE CONTACTED THE MECHANIC THAT HAD REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION (A YEAR AGO) AND FOUND OUT THAT HE HAD REUSED THE ORIGINAL, FACTORY INSTALLED BOLTS, THINKING THEY WERE FINE. HE HAD NO REASON TO THINK THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE REUSED. MY NEW MECHANIC FOUND OUT THAT DODGE (DAIMLERCHRYSLER) HAS A BOLT KIT TO REMEDY THIS "PROBLEM" OF THE ORIGINAL BOLTS BREAKING. MY NEW MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW UNTIL HE CALLED CHRYSLER FOR THE REPLACEMENT BOLTS. I AM HOPING THAT YOU CAN TELL ANY MECHANIC THAT ORDERS A REPLACEMENT RACK AND PINION FOR 1997 OR EARLIER LH PLATFORM CARS, THAT THEY USE THIS BOLT KIT, PROVIDED BY DODGE (FOR APPROX $55.00) - IF MY MECHANIC HAD SOME WAY OF KNOWING TO USE THE HEAVIER BOLTS IN THE FIRST PLACE, LESS RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLIES WOULD BE DAMAGED. I WISH THERE WERE SOME WAY OF LETTING ALL OWNERS OF THESE CARS KNOW ABOUT THE HEAVIER BOLT KIT - AND SUGGEST OR REQUIRE THAT THESE BOLTS BE CHANGED OUT - BEFORE THE RACK AND PINION FAILS IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE INFORMATION IS AS FOLLOWS: NAPA PART NO: 22-335 RACK AND PINION MOPAR KIT NO: 5072586AA BOLT KIT CHRYSLER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 19004-2 "BOLT KIT FOR STEERING RACK"