1973 Charger recalls, and a dumb question

[cooldude]

I just ran across this list of 1973 Charger recalls from the 1970s, which, is a little scarry.


https://www.automd.com/recall/campaign_c52879/


How can we know now, after all these years, if our car was actually sent back to the dealer and fixed, per some recall?

Or, can we still take advantage of a recall that was issued back in the 1970s? Do recalls have expiration dates?

[Kern Dog]

You're not looking for some type of warranty recall type deal are you? On a 44 year old car

[Baldwinvette77]

I'm not sure where and when this applies, but my neighbour bought a 1998 toyota corrola from a nissan dealer last year, and they had to do all the recall work before they sold it to her, no charge 

[ODZKing]

According to my Chrysler rep, once a recall, always a recall.  I had the upper control arms replaced on my 1998 Dodge Avenger 3 times (same recall).
Having said that they will have no record of whether the recall has been performed or not on a 73. At which point I would bet most dealers would say we have to inspect. Their conclusion to that will most likely be it is fine, and even if it was not, parts are no longer available through Chrysler to repair if they weren't. Which would mean replacing on your nickel.
If it has over 100,000 on it they most likely will need to be replaced anyway and it is something you should consider doing if you plan on keeping the car.

[odcics2]

I just ran across this list of 1973 Charger recalls from the 1970s, which, is a little scarry.


https://www.automd.com/recall/campaign_c52879/


How can we know now, after all these years, if our car was actually sent back to the dealer and fixed, per some recall?

Or, can we still take advantage of a recall that was issued back in the 1970s? Do recalls have expiration dates?

How do you know your car is one of the 5500 units recalled??   

[cooldude]

Thats just it, I dont know. Nor can I know that the fix was ever done, or if the defect might still be there, and still be dangerous and worse, hard to spot or detect.

I suppose on a car this old, we just have to go through it and fix whatever is tore up,and just hope we spot the defect that somehow the factory inspectors missed back in 1973 when it was new.

But still, if the dealerships wanted to fix something for me for free, I might just let them.

[Sublime/Sixpack]

How many miles are on this car?

[flyinlow]

NDT  - non destuctive testing

Air up you tires , find a deserted road with a jump and get at least 3 feet in the air. ( don't worry , Chargers are designed for this ) If they don't break , you are good to go. I saw this on a documentary back in the 1970's by the

Duke  Brothers.




OK , I rebuilt my 73 suspension a few years ago. They looked OK.    If I had known this I would have used a set from a different year or aftermarket.   5500 out of 120,000 73's

[cooldude]

I cant remember how many miles are on my car. Im out of town from it right now.

Hmm...rebuild the front suspension from a different year? I learned recently that the suspensions were changed for 73, to improve the ride quality. I dont know how good my fabrication skills would have to be, to take out parts and replace them with parts that look and fit different?

[flyinlow]

73-78 are the same front end.

[Nacho-RT74]

but 73 LCA and Ball joint are one year only

[flyinlow]

but 73 LCA and Ball joint are one year only

True, but I think the LCA pins are all the same. 

[Nacho-RT74]

Yes

[Moparpoolman]

How do you know your car is one of the 5500 units recalled??

1973 Dodge Charger Steering Recall 72V314000
Action Number: N/A
Service Bulletin Number: 72V314000
Report Date: Dec 27, 1972 Component: Steering
Potential Units Affected: 5500
Manufacturer: Chrysler Corporation

Well, report date is 12-27-72 so pretty sure it would be corrected on cars after that so check build date of car.. so that narrows it down some.
If you do bring it back to the dealer after 44 years, can you video the experience, it should be interesting.

[cooldude]

That is just it, I dont know if it was or not, and no way to tell, unless they knew the VIN  of the defective cars or something. 

I guess the one thing for us to get out of all of this, is that maybe we should actually be familiar about these recalls, and pay extra close attention and examination of the machines we currently have?

[Moparpoolman]

what is the build date of your car?

[flyinlow]

120,000 73 Chargers...about 10,000 a month.  Mine was built 9-72.    Gives me about a 1 in 6 chance assuming they all went into Chargers. A much lower chance if the 5500 was spread across all the car models produced. I have pushed my suspension pretty hard at times with no problems. However next time I have the front end apart I see new pivots in my future.

I worked at a Chrysler dealership 77-79. I was not aware of this recall and never remember hearing of one failing.

[ODZKing]

Says before TSB was issued, assuming is was taken care of if the vehicle was produced after 12/13/72.


Then procedure


and into 74

[cooldude]

That was pretty cool. How in the world did you ever find that?

My Charger was built, if I remember the fender tag right, 14 Nov 1972.

I wonder how the defect happened in the first place? Was it a bad machine on the assembly line that only affected one plant?

[ODZKing]

That was pretty cool. How in the world did you ever find that?
My Charger was built, if I remember the fender tag right, 14 Nov 1972.
I wonder how the defect happened in the first place? Was it a bad machine on the assembly line that only affected one plant?

Ahh, who knows.  They were probably on their way to outsourcing around that time.  Now they mostly assemble, they don't make anything. all suppliers.
BTW, here is the link, enjoy!
http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/library.shtml

[nge]

Mine are replaced with Chinese aftermarket units (heat-treat optional) so I am safe

[HPP]

I just ran across this list of 1973 Charger recalls from the 1970s, which, is a little scarry.


https://www.automd.com/recall/campaign_c52879/


How can we know now, after all these years, if our car was actually sent back to the dealer and fixed, per some recall?

Or, can we still take advantage of a recall that was issued back in the 1970s? Do recalls have expiration dates?

You can't know. The vast majority of records of that era were destroyed.

That corporation does not exist any more, so no, you can't take it back. The current entity has no obligation to honor a defect created 3 (4?) corporate structures ago.

IMO, if it hasn't created an issue at this point, after over four decades of use, it isn't going to. If you are concerned, you could always replace with another, potentially unknown manufacture date original piece or you could get two new aftermarket pieces to replace them.

[cooldude]

Soooo...I think its time to rebuild the front end of the ole Charger, just to be safe. What supplier has a good, comprehensive front rebuild kit that works well, everything fits, andthe price is not too bad?

[HPP]

For a '73, Firm Feel. They can also help you step up components should you desire to.

http://www.firmfeel.com/

[Chargerguy74]

Hmm, my 73 has an SPD of August 5, '72. I drove it across the country a few years ago so it must be good