NHTSA Complaint #10672903 — 2014 DODGE DART

NOISE PRODUCED WHEN STEERING, CAUSED BY A STRUT MOUNT THAT ISN'T PROPERLY SEALED AGAINST MOISTURE. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. A USER ON THE DODGE DART FORUMS FOUND A FIX, BUT THE ISSUE STILL REMAINS THAT THE STRUT CAP IS NOT PROPERLY SEALED, AND NO AMOUNT OF REPLACING IT WILL FIX THAT WITHOUT FIXING THE ISSUE. FOR DETAILS ON THE FIX: THE ISSUE IS THAT THE COWL PLASTIC GRILL DRIPS RIGHT INTO THE STRUT MOUNT, THERE IS A CAP THERE BUT IT IS NOT A WATER TIGHT SEALING CAP. THIS ALLOWS THE STRUT MOUNT CENTER, WHERE THE NUT IS, TO FLOOD AND CORRODE. THIS RUSTS THE STRUT MOUNT BEARINGS TOGETHER AND PREVENTS THEM FROM SPINNING FREELY THUS CAUSING THE RUBBER TO RUBBER CONTACT AND MOANING SOUND. IF THE MOUNTS ARE NOT TOO BADLY RUSTED YOU CAN DRY UP ALL THE WATER, APPLY A LIBERAL AMOUNT OF WD40, PB BLASTER OR WHATEVER YOU PREFER, LET IT SOAK AND THEN JUST TURN YOUR WHEEL FROM LOCK TO LOCK. CLEAN THE LITTLE CAP AND APPLY A SMALL BEAD OF SILICONE AROUND THE CAP, INSTALL IT AND LET IT DRY. THIS WILL CREATE A WATER TIGHT SEAL AND PREVENT THE STRUT MOUNT DAMAGE SO THERE NEEDS TO BE A NEW PART THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE, AND A RECALL ON ALL OF THE OLD PARTS BECAUSE OTHERWISE THE STRUT MOUNTS WILL RUST AND EVENTUALLY FAIL. *TR