Seizing front axil

[MyPT03]

I have a rather scary story to tell all of those that read it about my 2003 Turbo PT GT. Don't get me wrong I still love the car but am scared to death of it now.

I bought it Oct 13th 2002, in Feb 2003 I took it in for service because I had noticed red fluid leaking on my garage floor. I am very familier with cars and was alarmed to see ATF leaking from a car with less than 9,000 miles on it. Anyway I took it in and they replaced the seal & bearing on the left side. Away I went smiling cause I got it back in one day.

On May 28th I took it to a bodyshop to get ghost flames painted on it. This is an individual that I know pretty well & he does beautiful work. June 12th came along and he called me to come see the car finished. It took my breath away... After I proudly approved of his work he asked that he have it buffed and detailed. A new car should look like a new car when it leaves a bodyshop. I gladly agreeded because I was going to a trip and it would a perfect time for the finishing touches to be done and I could get it the beginning of the next week.

On June 14th after being buffed out the car was being driven to the detail shop on the freeway when all of a sudden the front left tire seized up and threw the car across 4 lanes of traffic and into an embankment where it came to rest. He got out of the car after collecting himself. The front left wheel was broken off, fluid everywhere. Utah Highway Patrol impounded the car until I could be notified. No other cars or people were hurt thank heavens. Well I found out on Monday, had to sign the release form to get it back to the bodyshop and repaired. The bodyshop owner took full responsability and was willing to do whatever to make my car new "again".

Upon investigating the damage he noticed that the left front axil would not come out of the transmission. He littrially had to take the right side apart and use a bar to pound out the left side which he found that the end of the axil was broken off. He got 2 second opinions before calling me to tell me that the axil had seized to the bearing inside of the tranny. He suggested that I call the dealer which I did and they came and got it but not before the Highway Patrol made their investigation and gave me a copy of their report saying the car is unfit to drive on the roads. And that a recall might be an issue. Finially on the 23rd of June the dealer came and got my car where it has been sitting up till this current day. They founf $7500.00 worth of damage to the tranny/axil and such. Well this ment bringing in a accident investagator that showed up July 2nd. I took hime to the accident site where after 3 weeks you could still see the skid marks. The investigator gathered all his information and left back to Chrysler. I have called nearly everyday after he came. I have just found out that my file has been moved from their investigation dept to their "Legal" department. No one is talking. No one will give me a rental car until it is fixed. and I still don't know what is going to happen.

PLEASE!!!!! if you own a 2003 or an older year and are having leaking issues, go get them fixed!!! This accident could of had fatalities thank goodness that all the driver got was the wits scared out of him....

Now I can but only wait, make payments on a car I don't have and see what Chrysler is going to do. Anyone who wishes to chat about this I'd love to hear... Carol In Salt Lake City, Utah

[TripleJackInGA]

That sucks, Carol! Glad no-one was injured.Clamming up is typical when they think they can get their asses sued out from under them.They don't anything they sayto be use against them. You should contact NHTSA and inform them of this immediately.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/

Good Luck!

[MyPT03]

Thanks TripleJack. Tomorrow is Monday and I am gonna give them a call first thing and then again before I go home. I'll let all of you know what happens, Carol

[Kirby]

Since so much of the PT depends on the rigid unit body, I would always and forever be afraid of the structure being tweaked.
That twist axle in the rear that has ben skinnied down to the bare minimum.....what happens if it isn't quite straight ALL the way through it's motion cycle. The front suspention has only 3 points of frame contact. I am talking about geometry, not just straight on a chasis rack. There are way too many variables here for me. I would have the car totaled and get a 2004!!!

(Your resale value just took a trip down the $hitter too!!)
Always and forever the words "Major Rollover Accident" are attached to this VIN in the on line autocheck files...no slipping this by anymore!

Sorry, I don't want to be a downer, but I don't want to read about your next accident in this car!!

[MyPT03]

Just an update folks.. DC denied any responsability to the situation. My insurance is now gearing up for a full blown investigation and possable lawsuit... All I want is my car back safe and sound and to save anyone else from having an accident..

[Kirby]

My PT03,
I think that you have a lot of our thoughts and prayers for your safety and return to "normal".
It always amazes me that the folks that want to get into unwarranted hop up kits with Chrysler's full knowlege don't take a good long look at how they are treating you. I assume that you did nothing to cause the problem, yet you may have the fight of your life to have your problem fixed by the responsible parties.
Keep in touch with us, we care!