SRT Engineers Chat Session April 16 2008 - Discussion/Debrief

[ResumeSpeed]

Originally Posted by Rambit

I don't know buddy. I'm sure they're just razzing you. Who's gonna compile all the sessions if you don't???

Bernie

I asked a legit question about the differentials going into the Challenger, the answer which would have help a LOT of Challenger owners who are confused about the differences between '08-'09 systems. Never did get an answer...

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by ResumeSpeed

I asked a legit question about the differentials going into the Challenger, the answer which would have help a LOT of Challenger owners who are confused about the differences between '08-'09 systems. Never did get an answer...

Man I dunno. It seems like a different group each time. Sometimes they're helpful, other times they get cocky. Strange.

Bernie

[joey]

Originally Posted by Rambit

Don't forget this month's chat session guys. Starts at 6PM Eastern 4-16-2008!

Here's ekool's thread with the link to the Caliber Forums Chat Session Thread - SRT Chat Session @ CaliberForums.com - 4/16/08 (Wednesday) from 6pm to 8pm EST..

Time to start thinking of questions. Anyone who can't make it, but want to ask a question, post it in here and I can ask on your behalf.

Discuss what you thought of it here afterwards too. Where's my friggin' Jeep??? Maybe I'll get an answer to why my brand new car that's almost a year old doesn't even have a VON yet. Anyone hear there's a shortage of 6.1L engines? Well I sure did. RUMOUR has it all engines have been diverted to the Challenger...humm!!!

Bernie

When are these sessions announced?

I have missed every single session cause I was at work and unaware there was going to be a session that day.

Also, living on the west coast makes the sessions start at 3pm while we are at work, while the east coasters are at home and able to participate. Sucks.

Here are a few questions I have been meaning to ask.
1)What is causing the infamous "bump from behind" surge while sitting at a stop light.
2) What is causing cars to shut off while driving. There is a huge thread going on the Charger forum with this dangerous problem. Although not sure how many SRT's have the problem.
3)Tie Rod / Steering rack failures/ clunking noises. Why are so many cars having these problems?
4) Why was the car designed so the horn does not work when car is off?

Anyone know when the next chat session will be, and what forum?

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by joey

When are these sessions announced?

I have missed every single session cause I was at work and unaware there was going to be a session that day.

Also, living on the west coast makes the sessions start at 3pm while we are at work, while the east coasters are at home and able to participate. Sucks.

Here are a few questions I have been meaning to ask.
1)What is causing the infamous "bump from behind" surge while sitting at a stop light.
2) What is causing cars to shut off while driving. There is a huge thread going on the Charger forum with this dangerous problem. Although not sure how many SRT's have the problem.
3)Tie Rod / Steering rack failures/ clunking noises. Why are so many cars having these problems?
4) Why was the car designed so the horn does not work when car is off?

Anyone know when the next chat session will be, and what forum?

Sorry joey. I would have asked for ya had I known. The sessions are ~ every month on a rotating basis from forum to forum. I do my best to bump ekool's threads the day before each one and start one of my own like this one.

This one had only two days notice and I think it's because the engineers decide which site they want at the last minute then pass it on to ekool. I think that's why there isn't much opportunity for exposure.

Save your questions for next session and if you're not around I can ask on your behalf.

Bernie

[joey]

Originally Posted by Rambit

Sorry joey. I would have asked for ya had I known. The sessions are ~ every month on a rotating basis from forum to forum. I do my best to bump ekool's threads the day before each one and start one of my own like this one.

This one had only two days notice and I think it's because the engineers decide which site they want at the last minute then pass it on to ekool. I think that's why there isn't much opportunity for exposure.

Save your questions for next session and if you're not around I can ask on your behalf.

Bernie

Thanks.

[Cibalo]

thanks for asking my question Bernie

it's great to have members like you to help members like me

[Casey]

Originally Posted by Rambit

Man I dunno. It seems like a different group each time. Sometimes they're helpful, other times they get cocky. Strange.

Bernie

it does seem like a different group of guys each time. the previous group from last chat seemed really jovial and fun and seemed to be happy to be participating. i honestly dont think its the same group of guys each time. i am very grateful and glad they do this, many manufacturers would never dream of doing this, so i definitley dont want to discourage them. im sure there is just a group that enjoys this, and a group that sees it as the chore. not trying to undermine your position or anything RS, id probably feel the same way.

i have never participated because i dont really have a quality question, and dont want to take away the time for a member that might really need something. next time i am going to post just about how much i love the car tho.

[Rambit]

Originally Posted by Casey

i have never participated because i dont really have a quality question, and dont want to take away the time for a member that might really need something. next time i am going to post just about how much i love the car tho.

Hey, they don't mind a bit. Ask anything, but as usual they're bound by corporate policy as to what kind of answer they give. I'm sure they'd love to hear how much you enjoy your car too. I know I would if I was one of them!!!

Bernie

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by bigsnake

Cibalo, also remember that Pedders is trying to sell their product ! Maybe Rambit can get an answer but from previous discussions there has been a fair amount of tap dancing on these sessions! Another thing is, why havent we heard more from anyone else if this is a problem. The car has been out since 2005 ?

I was checking this thread to see if there had been any 'official' reply to the bush questions. Since there has been no reply, I'll speak up.

Suspension wear is incremental. You don't notice it until you replace coils and dampers or bushes and bring it back to like new or better than new condition. All of the vehicles that we have found torn and failed bushes on were not in for bush repair. They were in a shop to have suspension upgrades made. The owners were gobsmacked to see the bushes falling apart.

I thought my brakes were causing the car to pull to the left when I stopped.

Wow, I thought I needed new front struts.

So that's why my car felt like it was all over the road.

Suspension wear is constant. It starts the minute you leave the show room or shop. Every mile you drive causes suspension wear. Your LX is a powerful heavy vehicle. If it is an SRT8 it is more powerful with awesome brakes that place exceptionally high loads on your vehicle and bushes. The OE bushes are not defective. They are not a bad. The wear is not Chrysler warranty. The type of driving that causes this wear is owner abuse. I know because I not only am an owner of Pedders USA, I abuse every one of my personal vehicles.

The solution is to be aware of this issue and to routinely inspect your bushes. Feel free to replace them with OE or Pedders bits, as long as you inspect and replace them as necessary.

[bigsnake]

Sounds fair enough to me Pete. I just burned a copy of your bush diagram and will have them checked next time I'm at the dealer.Right now I'm less than 10K on the clock and don't pound too hard on the SRT8 or the R/T.
I didn't think we would get a lot of feedback from the SRT session!