Bent rear lateral link,I feel recall is legitimate.

[IMkenNY]

I recently repaired a 2003 Vue that had been hit in the front lower left door post. The resulting induced spin caused one of the rear lateral links to buckle slightly. (the rear tires never came in contact with anything).

While I might not agree with The 2004 RDM recall fix, I would recommend the rear lateral links replacement...... which also includes a FREE alignment and carwash!!!

Only in America!!

[OhioVueBoy]

Damage caused by accident, maybe legit. I don't believe in it because of the testing methodology used - hence why it is not being done to my VUE.
~D.J.~

[Bill Murray]

I just got the letter today to call for an appointment.
Pretty soon my wife can start making J-turns on the interstate again........

[Freedom1955]

Originally Posted by OhioVueBoy

Damage caused by accident, maybe legit. I don't believe in it because of the testing methodology used - hence why it is not being done to my VUE.
~D.J.~

Me either.

[pd1601]

Originally Posted by Bill Murray

I just got the letter today to call for an appointment.
Pretty soon my wife can start making J-turns on the interstate again........

We got the same letter....seems like they have sufficient parts inventory. I'm in no hurry.

[IMkenNY]

Im not sure if I will need these stronger links for 45 MPH J turns but they may come in handy dealing with a lateral force induced by sliding into a curb, snow bank, rut or pothole.

I would rather replace a bent wheel rim than deal with the damage caused by a suspension collapse.

[scotted73]

I'm not questioning anyone's decision for not completing the lateral link replacement...just posting an observation. Please correct me if I am wrong in any way.

This replacement seems to be no different than installing a larger diameter sway bar or better shocks and springs for a more improved vehicle. Neither of the OEM parts are "broke" (so don't fix it), yet they are commonly upgraded. Anyone who has lowered or jacked-up a truck (Trucks! on Spike TV) can attest to the upgrades that take place. They will also probably curse the weakness and inability of OEM parts to meet their needs.

On the other hand, the RDM campaign does seem to have an adverse outcome and therefore I would be hesitant about completing it.

[IMkenNY]

Originally Posted by scotted73

I'm not questioning anyone's decision for not completing the lateral link replacement...just posting an observation. Please correct me if I am wrong in any way.

This replacement seems to be no different than installing a larger diameter sway bar or better shocks and springs for a more improved vehicle. Neither of the OEM parts are "broke" (so don't fix it), yet they are commonly upgraded. Anyone who has lowered or jacked-up a truck (Trucks! on Spike TV) can attest to the upgrades that take place. They will also probably curse the weakness and inability of OEM parts to meet their needs.

On the other hand, the RDM campaign does seem to have an adverse outcome and therefore I would be hesitant about completing it.

The above mentioned items usually improve handling. If the rear links are replaced properly, they should have no effect on handling. The new links are made of slightly thicker stamped steel to decrease the possibility of failure when a sideways force is applied to the rear tires.

[VUEnumber1]

If nothing else, wait till you need an alignment. Get all 4 wheels done FREE!

It was raining when I got mine done, so no car wash for me.

[CaliLime]

Originally Posted by Bill Murray

Pretty soon my wife can start making J-turns on the interstate again........

LOL I take it that when you go out together you do the driving?

[scotted73]

Originally Posted by IMkenNY

The above mentioned items usually improve handling. If the rear links are replaced properly, they should have no effect on handling. The new links are made of slightly thicker stamped steel to decrease the possibility of failure when a sideways force is applied to the rear tires.

So it all boils down to increasing the structural intergrity of the vehicle...even if by a small amount...

[kevin21403]

I am having the rear suspension recall fix done on January 24th. It's free and I hope that it will strengthen the vehicle. The Vue seems to rock side to side and sway a bit too much for my taste. I wish it was a much tighter vehicle when making turns and taking exits off of interstates. I think the alignment will be good, too. Oh, and I like the free $5 car wash that is thrown in!

[Galileo]

I had the lateral links replaced last week and haven't noticed any difference in my VUE's handling characteristics... and I like to take cloverleaves with enthusiasm... just ask anyone from the DC meet-up in 12/04 .

Our facility has completed this campaign on about 145 VUEs as of 01/14/04 and we did find 1 VUE with a bent lateral link. It wasn't bent badly enough for the customer to notice nor did it affect the alignment enough to wear the tires unevenly or allow the wheel to contact the suspension but it was bent... just some food for thought for those of you against completing the campaign.

[Dante]

Although I have the same issues about the NHTSA test as DJ does, which we have all beaten to death in the last few months, I am considering letting them complete this recall. However, it means me taking an entire morning to go down there, wait for them to get around to my car, then *watch* them do it and make sure they don't slip a new RDM in there while they're at it, and then watch them do the alignment.

I'm up to nearly 18k miles now, and I was originally guessing my Turanzas wouldn't make it past 30k, but they've been wearing pretty well. I always get an alignment done when I get new tires, and since this recall includes an alignment, I wanted to wait until then, but from the looks of things, that is going to be another year or so until I get new tires. So, at this point, it's one of those things that if I have something else I have to take it in for, I'll probably let them do it if I have time and can watch them closely. Otherwise, it can wait.

[OhioVueBoy]

Well, I went out to my VUE this morning to find my driver's side mirror cracked right up the middle... I guess going from 60 to 10 degrees in a 12 hour stretch did it in (GD water under the mirror.. grr)
at any rate, I'll have to look at a FSM - I think I want to tackle this myself if I can, but if I have to take it in to work, I can just imagine the fight again I will have over NOT getting this recall done with it.
~D.J.~

[dugg67]

Originally Posted by OhioVueBoy

, but if I have to take it in to work, I can just imagine the fight again I will have over NOT getting this recall done with it.
~D.J.~

Should not even be an issue. No work can legally be done on a vehicle without an authorization to do so, verbal or signed. You don't authorize it, they can't do it, simple. I work as an Assistant Service Manager for an independant garage and was an ASM for Toyota a few years back, believe me, if I had any of my guys do an unauthorized repair, warranty or not, the shop would end up in court. A customer asks not to do something, even more reason not to do it. Of course, customer request is noted on the invoice and signed just as an authorization would be.

I recently had the recall performed on my Vue and had to sign the repair order before it was even pulled into the bay. Personally and professionally, I recommend having it done as it is just a replacement of an existing part with one that is identical in function, but built more sturdy. Even if the recall had not occured, the part would have been upgraded anyway, and any vehicle needing replacement because of damage or failure would automatically get the upgraded part during the repair. I see design changes in parts everyday that are not the result of recalls, but just that the manufacturer has seen enough failures that they take it upon themselves to upgrade the component where possible.

dugg67

[monantony]

just had our recall work done today..I actually called this morning at about 7:30 to see if we could get it done next week.."Bring it in now if ou li ke, we'll give you a rental..." I was in and out with that so fast, and they called 2 hours later and said it was done...I was like 'WTF!!!' They paid a days rental I guess for a few hours use...
T

[Ghostrider]

I've given the link replacement a lot of thought, and have decided to have it done, but not right now. Originally, I thought it was a waste of time, but I've changed my mind due to a few criteria.

First, rigid suspension links are a must for good (consistant) handling. If the replacement parts are stiffer, and will help keep the wheels tracking properly, then the added unsprung weight is worth it.

Second, suspensions, especially link bushings, get sloppy with age and use. Replacing worn parts can make an old vehicle seem new again.

Third, the alignment of vehicles is usually not covered by warranty after the first year, and 4 wheel alignments aren't cheap. The recall include an alignment.

So, when you add it all up, I figure If I wait another year to have the recall done, I'll have about 35K miles on it. It'll be about the time I need new tires, and a new alignment will be great, not to mention a rejuvenated suspension.
An added bonus will be that any quirks or problems will be worked out by then.