Front end clunk while turning - FIXED - TSB # 23-047-18

[Jordan2929]

There isn't another bracket on these trucks that is bent and has a crack, I checked as many as I could see on y truck. Someone else already posted their bracket isn't cracked. You are right though, could be nothing. My dealer was taking one of their new trucks onto the hoist to look at the cracks.

What I can say is that the left side sway bar bushing is wearing slightly, everyday there are more strands of rubber and plastic peeling off. The plastic insert has moved away about 3/16" from the rubber bushing compared to the right side that has not moved and is not shedding material, also may not be part of the clunk, but at this point there aren't many suggestions other than loosening and tightening everything which isn't exactly a fix. It also appears there aren't many people actively trying to DIY diagnose to get something happening a bit sooner.

I also noticed rubber strands coming off my sway bar bushings, not too worried about that but will keep an eye on it.
I know ford uses some type of white lithium grease on there sway bar bushings because it gets everywhere when I have to remove them.

 

[immersivenc]

Don't want to start any witch hunts as what I'm about to say is hearsay at this point. Take what I'm saying with a grain of salt, but:

We have received some intel that FCA is aware of this and is currently working on a fix. They are freezing all cases opened with those having the clunking. From what I understand, they are investigating a potential issue with the lower ball joints. I'm told they were a new design and it's possible that they need to be reengineered, or a bad batch of them made their way to the assembly line. I'm hopeful that if they can confirm this is the problem, a TSB will soon follow. You guys will know as soon as I know anything further.

 

[YoAdrian]

Don't want to start any witch hunts as what I'm about to say is hearsay at this point. Take what I'm saying with a grain of salt, but:

We have received some intel that FCA is aware of this and is currently working on a fix. They are freezing all cases opened with those having the clunking. From what I understand, they are investigating a potential issue with the lower ball joints. I'm told they were a new design and it's possible that they need to be reengineered, or a bad batch of them made their way to the assembly line. I'm hopeful that if they can confirm this is the problem, a TSB will soon follow. You guys will know as soon as I know anything further.

If your intel is right I would consider that good news, as it means they are taking the problem as seriously as they should, and are dedicated to applying a real fix for it. Here’s hoping. That gets two cartoon thumbs way up.

 

[Jared B]

Don't want to start any witch hunts as what I'm about to say is hearsay at this point. Take what I'm saying with a grain of salt, but:

We have received some intel that FCA is aware of this and is currently working on a fix. They are freezing all cases opened with those having the clunking. From what I understand, they are investigating a potential issue with the lower ball joints. I'm told they were a new design and it's possible that they need to be reengineered, or a bad batch of them made their way to the assembly line. I'm hopeful that if they can confirm this is the problem, a TSB will soon follow. You guys will know as soon as I know anything further.

Definitely good news and it wouldn't surprise me at all. Hopefully they've got a resolution out soon. Thanks for the update.

 

[warvet]

Here is what I see. My left side linkage is facing towards front of the truck more. Right side is facing towards left side of truck more. And the rubber boot around them is sitting differently. Left side also has more rubber shredding. These pics aren’t perfect but my eyes are good enough to Know they aren’t matching.

 

[RT70808]

How about a poll of build date clunk no clunk?

 

[Douglas31]

How about a poll of build date clunk no clunk?

I was thinking the same thing. Mine was built July 18th and has clunk. I have an appt with dealer tomorrow and I am curious to see what they say.

 

[warvet]

June 21 with a slight clunk maybe once a day now

 

[immersivenc]

6/13 build on mine.

 

[19RamLimited]

6/18 build

 

[illucid]

How do you find out your build date?

 

[edrclark]

It’s on the door sticker

 

[YoAdrian]

How do you find out your build date?

Example (not sure why the two are different sometimes):

 

[immersivenc]

I was thinking the same thing. Mine was built July 18th and has clunk. I have an appt with dealer tomorrow and I am curious to see what they say.

Keep us posted on your dealer’s troubleshooting process.

 

[Delmonico_19]

Alright guys I have a 2019 ram 1500 Laramie. Clunking noise has progressively gotten worse. I’m also a mopar tech at the dealer. I have been looking for the sound on my truck and I’m thinking it’s from the sway bar. There is a tech tip (on the parts side) that states they want the sway bars returned for inspection. Sway bar is on order which is on a small back order. Ordered sway bar links and bushings too. When parts arrive will keep you guys posted. Will try keeping you all posted as soon as i see a bulletin or any star release about this. I’m a tech and I feel the pain of driving with the noise and trying to find it. Try being patient

 

[immersivenc]

Alright guys I have a 2019 ram 1500 Laramie. Clunking noise has progressively gotten worse. I’m also a mopar tech at the dealer. I have been looking for the sound on my truck and I’m thinking it’s from the sway bar. There is a tech tip (on the parts side) that states they want the sway bars returned for inspection. Sway bar is on order which is on a small back order. Ordered sway bar links and bushings too. When parts arrive will keep you guys posted. Will try keeping you all posted as soon as i see a bulletin or any star release about this. I’m a tech and I feel the pain of driving with the noise and trying to find it. Try being patient

It’s great to see you here. We too suspect some combination of sway bar/links or ball joints. Thanks for keeping us posted, there are more and more of us experiencing the issue.

 

[Douglas31]

I’m so angry after my service appt I can’t even post about right now. I wouldn’t have anything appropriate to type.

 

[warvet]

Alright guys I have a 2019 ram 1500 Laramie. Clunking noise has progressively gotten worse. I’m also a mopar tech at the dealer. I have been looking for the sound on my truck and I’m thinking it’s from the sway bar. There is a tech tip (on the parts side) that states they want the sway bars returned for inspection. Sway bar is on order which is on a small back order. Ordered sway bar links and bushings too. When parts arrive will keep you guys posted. Will try keeping you all posted as soon as i see a bulletin or any star release about this. I’m a tech and I feel the pain of driving with the noise and trying to find it. Try being patient

My service manager has the issue too. I just left the shop. He swears it’s the ball joints. I told him my $100 is on the sway bar. We crawled under his to take a peek.

 

[immersivenc]

I’m so angry after my service appt I can’t even post about right now. I wouldn’t have anything appropriate to type.

“Could not replicate?” I’m basically done with my service dept until we have a FCA provided fix or if @warvet ’s dealership figures it out first I’ll be driving over an hour to their service dept. Then we will all celebrate our clunk free trucks over a beer. I can envision it now...

 

[Delmonico_19]

It’s all in articulation of the suspension when it pops. I personally feel that just turning or any bumps would possibly be a ball joint. But mine seems to only pop under articulation like going into my driveway etc.