At 10:06 PM 5/24/97 GMT, you wrote:
>On Sat, 24 May 1997 20:58:57 -0700, you wrote:
>
>Ok, I gotcha now. I was looking at mine from the passenger side. The
>shield does go in front of the cross member, and I remember my dad and
>I laughing at the directions on how to cut it to clear the hook frame.
<snip>
>>But even without the tow hook setup, the plastic shield does not really
>>protect the brake line on the drivers side. The dealer has one up on the
>>display rack and the brakeline clearly shows beyond the plastic shield.
>>Anyway, I think this is a dumb way to route the lines. It should be on
>>top, or behind the cross member.
>>
> I agree. It should be better protected. Since I four-wheel
>quite a bit I think I'll look in to protecting it, maybe with a plate
>of some kind. Since it's now dark, I'll have to look at it in the
>morning.
>
The way the shield is fit now it actually covers the brake line on the
drivers side much better than before the tow hooks were installed. I
figure if I get the dealer to do the work while the truck is under
warranty, then if something gets broken or doesn't work, he can't blame me
or another mechanic...you know that scenerio.
I've been keeping an eye on the brake line to see if it pops out of it's
clips (ie. has it been bent), but so far so good. I gave it a small tweek
on the passenger side because seemed to be wanting to pull out of the clip
on the frame member, it might have got bent a wee bit when the shield was
pressed up against it on the drivers side. I'm not particulary impressed
by the plastic clips either. I'd be much happier with something that would
firmly hold the brake line in place and needed to be unscrewed to release
it. Will any sort of poking around under the hood, it would be easy to
bump the brake lines and pop the clip, particulary on the passenger side
where it loops above the frame member. I suspect those clips can only be
popped so many times before they break.
>Since I spent a bit of time looking at this area today while I was
>washing the truck, I noticed a few problems that I'll need the dealer
>to fix.>
<snip>
> Steve
>
>97' Dakota Sport Plus, 4X4, 5 speed, all the goodies 'cept anti-lock
brakes...
>
>
>
So far I've been lucky, no significant problems, and giving credit to the
dealer, they have been very cooperative and helpful. But I'm a real 'fuss
arse' and there's only one way for the job to be done and that is the right
way (preferrably the first time)... no excuses. I guess one of the
problems with a new model is that even the dealers aren't aware of the
problems or the way to do the job correctly. They have to rely on the
factory instructions and as you found out, if they're no good....
The only other irritant that I have is the way the driveline clunks going
to to reverse (now that everything has settled in and the weather is warm).
I've been told by numerous sources that is normal Dodge truck and
partulary noticeable on Dakotas. I know my 78 3/4 ton did it (also used to
clunk going into 2nd (going downhill) as well, but I also had a shift kit).
You'd think with the modern electonics they could figure out a way to
smooth it out.
Cheers:
Rob Agnew
ragnew@islandnet.com
Victoria, B.C.
Canada
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