Clunk and Grind???

[scottmoyer]

Like many here, I've had a clunk in the front end when going over a speed bump with the wheel turned slightly from center. I didn't worry about it too much before because I ordered the SuspensionMaxx sway bar endlinks. I leveled my truck with Bilstein 5100s, added the sway bar endlinks and replaced the UCA with the Mopar leveling kit UCA. I was hopeful that torqueing to specs and making sure everything was tight would address this. It didn't What else should I look for. It shouldn't be the shock topping out when the wheel drops, but anything is possible.

Also, I get a grinding feel in the floor when turning into a drive and the truck flexes. It feels like worn out metal on metal brake dragging, but it only happens when the wheel is slightly turned and I hit a dip or enter an uneven drive. I can replicate it at speed by swerving the wheel side to side. As the front end dips down on one side or the other, the grind/vibration/rubbing is felt in the floor. Is it the Good Year Duratracs (AT tire) with the rough edge and I'm just feeling the edge of the tread vibration?

Any possible things to look for will not only help me, but possibly others. Thanks

 

[PurpleRT]

A cheap next solutions I say swap the swaybar bushings with either energy suspension or moogs that also is known to cause the front clunk. Any witness marks on any of the suspension components that indicate rubbing ?

 

[jl13]

following, same her only when flex.
I went under it once it feels like its coming from axle. driver side.
originally was thinking it was due to the sway bar touching the cat skid plate I have but a while back I took care of that by trimming the plate but the I still have the issue.
next up might be trying to change the swaybar bushings just in case. There is also TBS # 08-137-21 REV A. that wouldn't be a bad idea to go in for
To fix vibration/ noise when turning at slow speeds

 

[firemedic10584]

Only here to say I've got the exact same issue(s). Mine is a 2023 Laramie, only 5400 miles on it. I too am leveled with the Bils 5100s on the 2.1" setting. I've got the new sway bar bushings and the Suspension Maxx end links. While I do think they helped, the clunk is still present in mine, but not every time. I'm going back in for an alignment tomorrow in hopes maybe something there is off, but I'm not hopeful it'll fix anything with the clunk.
I did check my drive shafts on both sides up front yesterday and mine do have some play when moving them left and right, causing a clunk sound. But Idk how much play those are supposed to have. If you find a solution, let us know!

 

[scottmoyer]

I should state that I also had the driver side axle replaced due to the CV boot leaking. This was done when the alignment was done, so I should go back and verify torque settings on all components.

I've also been researching this and found a few possibilities. I haven't done these yet, but I'll make a list to document possibilities and if others have completed them and this worked, it'll be in one place.

Clunk:
1. verify torque on UCAs, top nut on shock, sway bar end links, shock mounts, tie rod ends (didn't work for me)
2. Replace sway bar body bushings (didn't work for me)
3. Verify caliper bolts are tight (tightened, but still a clunk on mine)
4. inspect CV axle (Driver side is new and all is tight. Still a clunk)
5. Check body mounts. Torque is 80ft lbs, but I heard 90 is better
6. Check engine mounts

Grind:
1. Check that no components are rubbing (I did this and I have no rubbing)
2. Replace front transfer case fluid
3. Replace rear diff fluid (heard that #2 and #3 are common issues coming from the factory without enough fluid)
4. inspect CV axle

 

[scottmoyer]

A cheap next solutions I say swap the swaybar bushings with either energy suspension or moogs that also is known to cause the front clunk. Any witness marks on any of the suspension components that indicate rubbing ?

Maybe this weekend I'll disconnect the endlinks altogether and see if the clunk is still there. If so, maybe the sway bar is hitting something when the truck articulates some.

 

[firemedic10584]

Maybe this weekend I'll disconnect the endlinks altogether and see if the clunk is still there. If so, maybe the sway bar is hitting something when the truck articulates some.

I did this already - my clunk was still present. Not as harsh in my opinion, but still there none the less.

 

[firemedic10584]

Just got done rechecking basically everything on my front end. Here’s what I found and I think I finally solved it. After taking a drive and hitting the same speed bumps in my neighborhood that typically caused the clunk, I had no clunks this time.

I found my driver side tie rod end quite loose. 2-3 full turns of the nut loose. I also made adjustments to my Suspension Maxx end links, which I may have not installed correctly when I put them in. I tightened up the center bolts that runs up and down on them, just so it was snug. Both sides were loose enough I could just spin the inner shaft/bolt.

I’m hopeful between both of those fixes, maybe the clunk is finally corrected.

 

[scottmoyer]

Ok, I just installed the new Energy Suspension sway bar bushings tonight. While under the truck, I verified the tie rods are tight, the SuspensionMaxx sway bar end links on top and bottom were tight, the brake caliper bolts were tight, the lower shock mount bolts are tight and the front body mount bolts are tight. I went for a drive and hit speed bumps at 10-15mph with the wheel slightly turned and "BANG". Still there.

Since I leveled the front end a month or so ago, I already torqued the UCA bolts and the UCA ball joint to factory spec. The upper strut mount bolts are also tight. I might recheck the top strut nut to see if I can get it any tighter, but I think it was already tight.

Next, I'll check the motor mounts to see if they're tight and still in good condition. I'm running out of ideas here. I know it's the front end because the clunk happens when the front tires hit the speed bump, not the rear.

 

[firemedic10584]

Ok, I just installed the new Energy Suspension sway bar bushings tonight. While under the truck, I verified the tie rods are tight, the SuspensionMaxx sway bar end links on top and bottom were tight, the brake caliper bolts were tight, the lower shock mount bolts are tight and the front body mount bolts are tight. I went for a drive and hit speed bumps at 10-15mph with the wheel slightly turned and "BANG". Still there.

Since I leveled the front end a month or so ago, I already torqued the UCA bolts and the UCA ball joint to factory spec. The upper strut mount bolts are also tight. I might recheck the top strut nut to see if I can get it any tighter, but I think it was already tight.

Next, I'll check the motor mounts to see if they're tight and still in good condition. I'm running out of ideas here. I know it's the front end because the clunk happens when the front tires hit the speed bump, not the rear.

I too am still having the clunk feeling, unfortunately. Described exactly the same as what you're describing. Can you describe where the motor mounts are to check? My truck also has a "rattle" when I'm stopped at a red light, I can feel it in my seat somewhat shaking around. I've read it could possibly be the motor mounts but really have no idea what they even look like to check. I tried youtube but wasn't successful. Any tips on that so I can check mine? Maybe those are loose causing both the clunk and the shaking feeling in my truck lol.

 

[scottmoyer]

I was reading on either the 2500 or the TRX site that they are also experiencing this clunk on the front end when coming off curbs, or off roading, etc. They mentioned the body mounts as a fix fopr some of their trucks while others mentioned that the issue is with the front Bilstein shocks. Since the trucks come with 4600s and many have leveled using the 5100, the internals are the same so the same issues may be present with both. They claim the clunk is the shock at full extension. Anybody with Fox or other brands still having the clunk?

 

[firemedic10584]

I was reading on either the 2500 or the TRX site that they are also experiencing this clunk on the front end when coming off curbs, or off roading, etc. They mentioned the body mounts as a fix fopr some of their trucks while others mentioned that the issue is with the front Bilstein shocks. Since the trucks come with 4600s and many have leveled using the 5100, the internals are the same so the same issues may be present with both. They claim the clunk is the shock at full extension. Anybody with Fox or other brands still having the clunk?

I've also wondered if this is where the issue lies. However, I just drove my dads truck yesterday which is also a 2023 leveled with the 5100s. Only difference between our two trucks is his is a quad cab 2wd, and mine is a Laramie 4wd. His truck does not make any type of clunk. I drove the same route I drive my truck daily that does produce the clunk sound in my truck, I could not get it to reproduce in his truck. So that almost debunks that theory. But I have also been considering lowering my 5100s down 1 or 2 notches just to see what that does. I hate to have a slight rake again, but if it'll solve this clunk sound, I'll do it!

 

[scottmoyer]

I don't think the adjustment to the 5100 will do anything as the factory 4600 was 2" lower than the 5100, but the clunk was there. So if it is the shocks, the only way to really know is to ask those that had a clunk and lost it due to Fox or other brands replacing the Bilsteins.

I haven't done anything to my truck this week due to a sciatic nerve issue that hit me Saturday morning. I feel much better today, so maybe tomorrow I'll torque the body mounts.

 

[mplaramie]

I have Fox shocks and also did the SuspensionMaxx end links. Clunk was there. Changed out the bushings with Energy Suspension and seems to be gone. I may get a slight clunk if making a sharp turn and I hit a bump. Other than that, where it clunked before, it has stopped with the bushings.

 

[JGrahamK]

Normally it takes TSB search a while to answer when you can’t find a TSB, but today they responded shortly after I posted above. There is a REV B! And now they have removed the limitation of V6 engines, and this TSB does apply to any engine.

Check this out. Something to do with the air dam moving a low speeds. The TSB fixed my clunk & grind