Body mount clunk and dealer is saying they could deny repair due to leveling kit…

[relbus]

My truck has a clunk when a wheel falls in a hole, or when I’m backing out of my driveway and the tire drops off the curb/driveway onto the street. You feel it in the floorboards and my research has led me to believe it’s the body mounts. It’s done it since day one.

It’s annoying but it doesn’t do it if I ease out of my driveway slowly, or if I avoid the potholes on the street leading to my office. It does it enough that it’s annoying and I want it fixed before warranty is up.

Took it in to the dealer and demonstrated how to make it happen. They acknowledged the clunk, and said they’d replace the body mounts because I suspected that was the issue. They also said they weren’t going to keep replacing them
Or keep chasing this issue for me because the truck has a leveling (they keep calling it a lift kit).

I’ve read several others have had the mounts replaced and the clunk returned. The dealer has gone as far as to tell me I’d have to put it back to stock if I wanted them to do more IF it is not taken care of with this repair.

Can the dealer refuse warranty service over a leveling kit? It’s clearly not the level, as it did it bone stock and does it still now after the level.

This morning I watched a tech pry the Xmas tree fasteners holding the shroud by the grill and he was prying with the tool against my grill surround and I mentioned it to the service advisor. He rolls eyes…talks to tech- then got ****ty with me telling me he was going to put it back together and take it somewhere else, and I could see for myself he was doing me a favor and he didn’t have to work
On my truck because of the level. This made me see red.

So…can they deny my warranty on this? Not that I will bring it back here after todays altercation, but I’m not happy.

 

[jadmt]

well that is the risk when doing modifications. they can blame the clunk valid or not on the leveling kit as it does change the suspension a bit. Now if your radio quit working they can't blame the level kit but for a clunking suspension I think they can and as you see all dealers are not created equal.

 

[relbus]

It’s not a linking suspension. It’s a clunking body mount. I get what your saying though.

 

[Firebird]

Yep, my 2019 had the body mount issue, so annoying, dealer never did fix it properly. Thankfully, my 2021 does not have that issue

 

[joelp]

somewhat off topic, but has the clunk ever done anyone any damage? i have it and it doesn't really bother me any more, but wonder if there's any potential issue down the road.

 

[relbus]

Doubt it is causing damage, but can’t be good for it IMO. I could be wrong though.
I’m more mad about the dealers attitude at this point. I have no confidence this will fix it based on everyone else’s experience…but I had to try

 

[jadmt]

I would think if it is a loose body mount over time it would cause damage and wallow out the mounting points which could lead to rust and possible failure down the road.

 

[gimmie11s]

The dealer is privately owned, they can do what they want for whom they want -- or not.

Find a new dealer with a customer-focused culture (good luck) and move on.

 

[Crusty old shellback]

yep, vote with your money and business. Find a better dealer who is willing to work with you. It's obvious this dealer doesn't want the work, or the money.

If more people did this instead of just complaining to others, these shady/lazy dealerships would feel it and either change their ways, or go away.

 

[Jimmy07]

They acknowledged the clunk, and said they’d replace the body mounts because I suspected that was the issue. They also said they weren’t going to keep replacing them

Just to clarify, are they charging you to replace, or offering to do it under warranty?

 

[relbus]

They did not charge me. I really do not spend much money with dealers after the initial vehicle purchase. I do all my own maintenance, and I did not buy the truck at this dealer…but it close to work and convenient

 

[Jimmy07]

I must be missing something. Sooo, this dealership is willing to replace the body mount based on the customer’s recommendation, without diagnosing it, and knowing the front suspension is modified. This forces them to fabricate a diagnosis to submit for reimbursement from stellantis for a warranty claim, and not mention the modified suspension. They also said if that doesn’t fix it, you can put it back to stock, and they will diagnose further.
I guess I’m not understanding what everyone is all salty about this dealer for? In my eyes, he’s doing you a pretty big favor.

 

[jadmt]

I must be missing something. Sooo, this dealership is willing to replace the body mount based on the customer’s recommendation, without diagnosing it, and knowing the front suspension is modified. This forces them to fabricate a diagnosis to submit for reimbursement from stellantis for a warranty claim, and not mention the modified suspension. They also said if that doesn’t fix it, you can put it back to stock, and they will diagnose further.
I guess I’m not understanding what everyone is all salty about this dealer for? In my eyes, he’s doing you a pretty big favor.

I think he was mad that they probably were damaging his grill when removing the shroud and when he mentioned that to the service writer it went downhill.

 

[sstoner911]

I think he was mad that they probably were damaging his grill when removing the shroud and when he mentioned that to the service writer it went downhill.

I always look the truck over after a service visit...if it's damaged after and it's not on their inspection at the time of drop off make them fix it.

Don't go stand in their bays and hover.

 

[Blackbrush]

My '20 does this (since day one) and I hate it. I'm out of warranty but no matter really. Should be a simple fix and would happily perform myself if I had the solution.

 

[relbus]

I must be missing something. Sooo, this dealership is willing to replace the body mount based on the customer’s recommendation, without diagnosing it, and knowing the front suspension is modified. This forces them to fabricate a diagnosis to submit for reimbursement from stellantis for a warranty claim, and not mention the modified suspension. They also said if that doesn’t fix it, you can put it back to stock, and they will diagnose further.
I guess I’m not understanding what everyone is all salty about this dealer for? In my eyes, he’s doing you a pretty big favor.

They did their own research after I pointed them in the direction of the body mounts, and agreed that it sounded like the cause of the clunk. They diagnosed it 2x. I had to go in 2x and demonstrate the clunk, and they had the truck for an hour or two poking around under it while I waited. Then I waited 2.5 months for parts to come in.

I really don't think he is doing me that big of a favor, a suspension noise is totally different than this clunk and its very obvious its not in the suspension. I'm salty because of the attitude when I point out that the way their tech is doing something can/will lead to damage. I've had that shroud off, and worked on plenty of trucks...when they cost as much as they do they need to be more careful. Going back to stock isn't happening, I tossed the stock coils and shocks in my scrap pile that is long gone.

 

[relbus]

I think he was mad that they probably were damaging his grill when removing the shroud and when he mentioned that to the service writer it went downhill.

Exactly. Had he not got an attitude with me about my 70k truck, things would have gone much differently.