happythoughts 0 #1 January 31, 2005 clicky QuoteWASHINGTON -- Federal safety regulators want 600,000 Dodge Durangos and Dakota trucks recalled because their wheels could fall off, but the auto maker doesn't believe the defect is dangerous, a company spokesman said. Uhhh...what? The wheels fall off, but it isn't dangerous? Oh, I see... QuoteGates said Chrysler recognizes there is a problem with the upper ball joints, but "we do not think it rises to the level of a safety defect." You may be an idiot if... you don't believe this is a safety issue... QuoteGates said if the upper ball joint fails, it is most likely to happen at low speeds and during turns. Oh good, just don't ever turn. That's handy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #2 February 1, 2005 >The wheels fall off, but it isn't dangerous? It's like saying "this parachute can be damaged if deployed at head-down speeds of 200mph or greater, but the parachute maker doesn't believe the problem is dangerous." Tell that to a whuffo - "WHAT???? Your parachute might blow up, and you're telling me that's NOT A SAFETY DEFECT? These people should be sued out of existence!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #3 February 1, 2005 Quote>The wheels fall off, but it isn't dangerous? It's like saying "this parachute can be damaged if deployed at head-down speeds of 200mph or greater, but the parachute maker doesn't believe the problem is dangerous." It's not like saying that at all. A parachute deployed at 200mph is not considered normal use. A vehicle moving at low speeds or make turns is normal use. In fact, you can't help but do both. QuoteGates said if the upper ball joint fails, it is most likely to happen at low speeds and during turns I'm sure there is an analogy out there that works better, but that would be discussing that analogy. The company rep is calling this safe, and that is stupidly indefensible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #4 February 1, 2005 >A vehicle moving at low speeds or make turns is normal use. Agreed. But I strongly suspect that there is more to this story. Any parachute can fail even if properly manufactured, assembled, maintained and operated - just as any truck can fail even if properly manufactured, assembled, maintained and operated. Now, if it fails unusually often, that's an issue - but the article did not address that. All it said is "it can fail and therefore it's a safety issue." Main parachutes can fail, too - but we don't consider that a safety issue unless it happens more often than average. And we look with disgust on whuffos who say "What, are you crazy? Jumping with a parachute that might fail?" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #5 February 1, 2005 ...ok, you win. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
