Differential or Transmission Clunk

[Mopar_maxi]

What kind of grease did you use?
The only way it's coming back is if the grease is gone

Ford PFTE grease designed specifically for driveshafts.

 

[BowDown]

Ford PFTE grease designed specifically for driveshafts.

Maybe you didn't use enough, mine hasn't come back and I'm starting my 3rd tank of gas since so about 900 miles, I did use a lot though, probably 3-4 ounces

Moly Ultra Waterproof Grease | Schaeffer Oil

Schaeffer Oil's Moly Ultra is a versatile, multi-purpose extreme high and low pressure, waterproof grease that is used in all types of heavy duty equipment.

www.schaefferoil.com

This was much thicker than the red driveshaft grease which I assume is similar to the ford grease

 

[Edwards]

They need to remove the drive shaft, take one of the clamps off the dust cover closest to the rear. Slide the rear shaft out apply grease in the weird long extended slip yoke. Mine is smooth as butter now. I posted a pic earlier of the drive shaft and what the dust cover sleeve looks like.

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I've had a "release" in mine for almost three years. Clearly not as bad as some here as it wasn't a clunk, but since I have ETorque and the extra sensation of engine braking it's been hard to nail down. Had it in the dealer once only to be told "they all do that." Well I've now twice had loaners (non-ETorque) that were smooth as butter so clearly they don't all do that. I dove in and dropped my driveshaft today.

I've got the aluminum one piece so it only took about an hour. When I pulled it off, it had black grease that looked like it covered everything, but very thinly. So I cleaned it all off, and generously relubed (not too much) with moly CV lube. Took it for a test drive and what do you know? It's now the luxury car of the year! I wish I'd done this three years ago. It is so much more refined now especially after a harder deceleration. It just accelerates smoothly - like those loaners.

Thanks to all who posted how to's on this! I definitely recommend it.

 

[recon15]

I've had a "release" in mine for almost three years. Clearly not as bad as some here as it wasn't a clunk, but since I have ETorque and the extra sensation of engine braking it's been hard to nail down. Had it in the dealer once only to be told "they all do that." Well I've now twice had loaners (non-ETorque) that were smooth as butter so clearly they don't all do that. I dove in and dropped my driveshaft today.

I've got the aluminum one piece so it only took about an hour. When I pulled it off, it had black grease that looked like it covered everything, but very thinly. So I cleaned it all off, and generously relubed (not too much) with moly CV lube. Took it for a test drive and what do you know? It's now the luxury car of the year! I wish I'd done this three years ago. It is so much more refined now especially after a harder deceleration. It just accelerates smoothly - like those loaners.

Thanks to all who posted how to's on this! I definitely recommend it.

If you could provide an update in 1K miles that would be awesome. Hope yours stays put!

 

[BowDown]

I'm at 1400 miles, still good

 

[popcenator]

I've had a "release" in mine for almost three years. Clearly not as bad as some here as it wasn't a clunk, but since I have ETorque and the extra sensation of engine braking it's been hard to nail down. Had it in the dealer once only to be told "they all do that." Well I've now twice had loaners (non-ETorque) that were smooth as butter so clearly they don't all do that. I dove in and dropped my driveshaft today.

I've got the aluminum one piece so it only took about an hour. When I pulled it off, it had black grease that looked like it covered everything, but very thinly. So I cleaned it all off, and generously relubed (not too much) with moly CV lube. Took it for a test drive and what do you know? It's now the luxury car of the year! I wish I'd done this three years ago. It is so much more refined now especially after a harder deceleration. It just accelerates smoothly - like those loaners.

Thanks to all who posted how to's on this! I definitely recommend it.

Have any pictures of where you greased exactly? I've never removed a driveshaft but I'm willing to give it a go if it'll smooth things out.

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[Edwards]

Have any pictures of where you greased exactly? I've never removed a driveshaft but I'm willing to give it a go if it'll smooth things out.

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No, didn't take any pics, but this site shows almost exactly the same thing: https://www.dieselplace.com/threads/lube-splines-in-rear-drive-shaft-slip-yoke-to-fix-clunk.51652/

The last pic shows the splined output shaft of the transmission/transfer case and ours looks the same. It's basically like a very deep gear with teeth on the outside. What I lubed was the matching inside splines (teeth) of the coupler that is attached to the driveshaft.

 

[Edwards]

If you could provide an update in 1K miles that would be awesome. Hope yours stays put!

Will do. I'm still grinning like it's a new truck! Between that and the ice cold new AC, it certainly feels like it.

 

[popcenator]

No, didn't take any pics, but this site shows almost exactly the same thing: https://www.dieselplace.com/threads/lube-splines-in-rear-drive-shaft-slip-yoke-to-fix-clunk.51652/

The last pic shows the splined output shaft of the transmission/transfer case and ours looks the same. It's basically like a very deep gear with teeth on the outside. What I lubed was the matching inside splines (teeth) of the coupler that is attached to the driveshaft.

Much appreciated.

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[BowDown]

Have any pictures of where you greased exactly? I've never removed a driveshaft but I'm willing to give it a go if it'll smooth things out.

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Set the E Brake and chock the tires then cut the two straps holding the black dust sleeve on the drive shaft, or just cut the rear clap off.



Unbolt the rear driveshaft flange from the diff pinion flange, 15MM socket then slide it out of the front section of the drive shaft. You do not need to remove the entire driveshaft, just the rear section of the rear 2 piece shaft.

Grease then reassemble.
I don't know what this grease is, found a pic on another forum, I used a black moly high pressure grease I posted earlier.

You will need CV joint pliers and clamps but some used worm clamps. I used this:

Amazon.com: Lisle 30800 CV Boot Clamp Pliers : Automotive

Buy Lisle 30800 CV Boot Clamp Pliers: Tool Sets - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

and these clamps

Amazon.com: Febrytold 12 Pcs CV Boot Clamp, 6 Pcs Small and 6 Pcs Large Stainless Steel Universal Adjustable Stainless Steel Drive Shaft CV Boot Clamp : Automotive

Buy Febrytold 12 Pcs CV Boot Clamp, 6 Pcs Small and 6 Pcs Large Stainless Steel Universal Adjustable Stainless Steel Drive Shaft CV Boot Clamp: CV (Constant Velocity) - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[popcenator]

Set the E Brake and chock the tires then cut the two straps holding the black dust sleeve on the drive shaft, or just cut the rear clap off.

View attachment 102176

Unbolt the rear driveshaft flange from the diff pinion flange, 15MM socket then slide it out of the front section of the drive shaft. You do not need to remove the entire driveshaft, just the rear section of the rear 2 piece shaft.

Grease then reassemble.
I don't know what this grease is, found a pic on another forum, I used a black moly high pressure grease I posted earlier.

You will need CV joint pliers and clamps but some used worm clamps. I used this:

Amazon.com: Lisle 30800 CV Boot Clamp Pliers : Automotive

Buy Lisle 30800 CV Boot Clamp Pliers: Tool Sets - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

and these clamps

Amazon.com: Febrytold 12 Pcs CV Boot Clamp, 6 Pcs Small and 6 Pcs Large Stainless Steel Universal Adjustable Stainless Steel Drive Shaft CV Boot Clamp : Automotive

Buy Febrytold 12 Pcs CV Boot Clamp, 6 Pcs Small and 6 Pcs Large Stainless Steel Universal Adjustable Stainless Steel Drive Shaft CV Boot Clamp: CV (Constant Velocity) - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Thanks, but I have the one piece aluminum driveshaft as well. I appreciate it though.

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[popcenator]

Bone dry, yikes.

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[Edwards]

Bone dry, yikes.

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Wow, not even a hint of black grease on either end? You should feel a noticeable improvement!

 

[popcenator]

Wow, not even a hint of black grease on either end? You should feel a noticeable improvement!

There really wasn't anything in the other end either. I hosed it out with cleaner and the only way I could tell that there was any sort of lubrication was the water was slightly black. Otherwise it looked just like the end pictured. The clunking between P, D and R is gone. I definitely recommend doing this if you're transmission is clunky. It just feels tighter. I used Lucas Red N Tacky because I was waiting on my shipment of Redline CV2 to come in, and I just wanted something in there. I'm going to see how this holds and maybe clean it out again at some point to put the Redline in now that I know what I'm doing

Bottom line, its pretty straightforward of a process and definitely worth the time if you're unhappy with how your transmission is operating.

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[popcenator]

Another update, I took it back out and checked how the grease was holding up. Ended up putting a bunch more grease in the slip yoke as it looks like maybe I didn't put enough in there to begin with. It's even better still now. This is the best my transmission has felt since owning it. I'm at 27K currently and have always felt this transmission was clunky and inconsistent, this has definitely changed that.

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[JRTexas]

Add me to the list of those dealing with this annoying clunk. 2019 Crew Cab 4wd with the 6'4" bed and 3.92 axle ratio. It probably started at around 10k miles, I'm at 17k now and it seems to be getting worse. Like others have said, I definitely notice that it is more pronounced when the ambient temperatures are higher. I live in New York and barely noticed it over the winter, but as soon as the weather got warm it came back. I tow a 6,200 lb travel trailer during the summer months and it's especially evident when taking off from a stop with the trailer attached. I've been to the dealer twice for this. First time they reflashed the transmission, which had no effect. Then I made an appointment to take a drive with a technician, but the season had changed to fall and of course the temperatures weren't warm enough for the clunk to be intrusive to the point where they considered it abnormal. I love everything else about my truck, but this is driving me insane! I'm about to make a third attempt with the dealer, but unfortunately it seems like there is no fix for this issue...

Were you successful in finding a resolution on your last trip? I am so frustrated with my Ram and in ability to find resolution. I rented one recently from National Car on a business trip, that truck had 30K miles on it and did exactly the same mine has done all along. RAM knows they have a problem, way too common and they are ignoring the issue. There are NHTSA reports on this same issue.
I have come to the conclusion the new RAM is a POS, it is nowhere near the quality of my prior RAM/Dodge vehicles.
I will try on last time to have it repaired, after that decide how to get rid of the POS

 

[Hicksz1]

Ram don't care . You bought it you own it. What a joke. 3 service guys said they drive it it's fine. I said I can get it to make that noise let's go for a ride. They tell me no nothing's wrong. Refused to go for a ride with me. They know the problem they just don't want to fix it. Shifts like crap and clunks. Not to mention the safety hazard when it died , liked the brake and leftme in the middle of the road . Scared **** less

 

[Hicksz1]

Add me to the list of those dealing with this annoying clunk. 2019 Crew Cab 4wd with the 6'4" bed and 3.92 axle ratio. It probably started at around 10k miles, I'm at 17k now and it seems to be getting worse. Like others have said, I definitely notice that it is more pronounced when the ambient temperatures are higher. I live in New York and barely noticed it over the winter, but as soon as the weather got warm it came back. I tow a 6,200 lb travel trailer during the summer months and it's especially evident when taking off from a stop with the trailer attached. I've been to the dealer twice for this. First time they reflashed the transmission, which had no effect. Then I made an appointment to take a drive with a technician, but the season had changed to fall and of course the temperatures weren't warm enough for the clunk to be intrusive to the point where they considered it abnormal. I love everything else about my truck, but this is driving me insane! I'm about to make a third attempt with the dealer, but unfortunately it seems like there is no fix for this issue...

Me too. Ram thinks that is ok I guess. 3 shops , all let downs. One would go for a drive with me. Why you night hear that clunk. Can't upload my video , of the clunk they can't hear. Wth

 

[Pyleketerson]

Same clunk everyone here has described. Dealer addressed the "brake moan" bulletin today in a couple hours. I asked the service technician if he was sure that was it, and he said he was pretty sure, that the problem described in the bulletin caused a clunk. Sure enough, it's fixed and the clunk is gone.

 

[Hicksz1]

Same clunk everyone here has described. Dealer addressed the "brake moan" bulletin today in a couple hours. I asked the service technician if he was sure that was it, and he said he was pretty sure, that the problem described in the bulletin caused a clunk. Sure enough, it's fixed and the clunk is gone.

Brake moan is the cause of the clunk? Or the issue with the squealing brakes? They act like it's a joke where I live.