Differential or Transmission Clunk

[TruckDriver]

Glad (?) to see this thread brought up before I searched much deeper - I hear a similar clunk and backlash in the rear end or driveshaft were both my thoughts as well.

I'm going for a drive in a few hours, I'm wondering if anyone's tested this by just gear limiting to 1st gear and then tapping the throttle on/off at various speeds to replicate the clunk?

oddly I hear it also when I start the truck - intermittently, so I haven't made a point to record it every time - but remote start or pushbutton, after it starts, about an 1/8th beat later, 'clunk'

 

[NDanecker]

I'm going for a drive in a few hours, I'm wondering if anyone's tested this by just gear limiting to 1st gear and then tapping the throttle on/off at various speeds to replicate the clunk?

Yes. I was able to reproduce doing this.

 

[TruckDriver]

Yes. I was able to reproduce doing this.

So I tried this on my drive today - I noticed that in 1st or 1-2 I'm not hearing anything odd; the start up (with auto-ebrake or without) has an intermittent clunk; and from time to time (again, can't replicate on demand), the downshift when approaching a light and stopping in a hurry will cause a driveline lash surge/clunk feel and sound... hmm

 

[NDanecker]

So I tried this on my drive today - I noticed that in 1st or 1-2 I'm not hearing anything odd; the start up (with auto-ebrake or without) has an intermittent clunk; and from time to time (again, can't replicate on demand), the downshift when approaching a light and stopping in a hurry will cause a driveline lash surge/clunk feel and sound... hmm

While coming to a stop from high speed the truck will walk down through the gears with 4th being the last gear, and then just before a complete stop it will engage 1st where you may feel a slight surge forward. My '14 DRW Diesel with the AISIN and 4.10 gears was awful with this. It was so bad I had to modulate the brake to compensate for the surge. Back to the 1500 though. If there is no sound or metal-to-metal clunk then you may have something different happening. I was able to reproduce the sound and it was a distinct metal clunk. I noticed it wasn't as pronounced when the truck was cold, or on very cold mornings but did come back after the truck fully warmed up or after long trips.

 

[TruckDriver]

I noticed it wasn't as pronounced when the truck was cold, or on very cold mornings but did come back after the truck fully warmed up or after long trips.

DId you see the driveline recall that's coming out? poor welds at the yoke or something to that effect, I'll dig up a link

EDIT here it is

Ram recalls 10,000 pickup trucks for fracturing driveshafts

Swapping out the rear driveshaft will remedy the problem.

www-cnet-com.cdn.ampproject.org

 

[NDanecker]

DId you see the driveline recall that's coming out? poor welds at the yoke or something to that effect, I'll dig up a link

EDIT here it is

Ram recalls 10,000 pickup trucks for fracturing driveshafts

Swapping out the rear driveshaft will remedy the problem.

www-cnet-com.cdn.ampproject.org

Luckily my truck is built in 12/18 so not effected by the recall. How the hell is a faulty weld on a driveshaft voluntary? LOL

 

[RamCares]

Glad (?) to see this thread brought up before I searched much deeper - I hear a similar clunk and backlash in the rear end or driveshaft were both my thoughts as well.

I'm going for a drive in a few hours, I'm wondering if anyone's tested this by just gear limiting to 1st gear and then tapping the throttle on/off at various speeds to replicate the clunk?

oddly I hear it also when I start the truck - intermittently, so I haven't made a point to record it every time - but remote start or pushbutton, after it starts, about an 1/8th beat later, 'clunk'

Hello TruckDriver,

If you end up going into the dealer, let us know. We're available via direct message and can forward this to a case specialist who'll work with the dealer on this.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[MacDuff]

My truck has just over 20k miles on it now, I've had the low speed clunking issue for about the last 5k miles or so. Happens after the vehicle is rolling but before the shift into 2nd gear or coming to stop at low speeds.

Dealer says they feel the clunk, but it's a characteristic of the 2019 Ram 9 speed transmission??? Maybe he was kidding because I've got an extra clunk in between 1st and 2nd gear, but as far as I know it's an 8 speed gearbox. No fix available. I'm certainly disappointed in that response... no fix available, live with it.

If the truck was that way from day one (I ordered the vehicle myself, October 18 build) maybe I could accept it as such, but that's definitely not the case. I know something can be done to correct the issue since it hasn't always been a problem.

Maybe the Ram Team can weigh in on this, I'm a Chrysler guy (also own a Hellcat) but I don't want to live with a truck that clunks and bangs every time I start or stop at low speeds. I find I constantly have to feather the throttle to minimize the clunk which isn't a satisfactory resolution.

 

[jloops]

My truck has just over 20k miles on it now, I've had the low speed clunking issue for about the last 5k miles or so. Happens after the vehicle is rolling but before the shift into 2nd gear or coming to stop at low speeds.

Dealer says they feel the clunk, but it's a characteristic of the 2019 Ram 9 speed transmission??? Maybe he was kidding because I've got an extra clunk in between 1st and 2nd gear, but as far as I know it's an 8 speed gearbox. No fix available. I'm certainly disappointed in that response... no fix available, live with it.

If the truck was that way from day one (I ordered the vehicle myself, October 18 build) maybe I could accept it as such, but that's definitely not the case. I know something can be done to correct the issue since it hasn't always been a problem.

Maybe the Ram Team can weigh in on this, I'm a Chrysler guy (also own a Hellcat) but I don't want to live with a truck that clunks and bangs every time I start or stop at low speeds. I find I constantly have to feather the throttle to minimize the clunk which isn't a satisfactory resolution.

I was having the same issue. Got this TSB done a few weeks ago and haven't felt the clunk since.

January 9, 2019 - Flash: Transmission Controle Module (TCM) Updates - # 21-002-19

 

[MacDuff]

I was having the same issue. Got this TSB done a few weeks ago and haven't felt the clunk since.

January 9, 2019 - Flash: Transmission Controle Module (TCM) Updates - # 21-002-19

Thanks Jloops, I'll have them look into this tomorrow. They still have the vehicle because the 12 inch display sirius xm won't take any updates/ reflash. Lots more gremlins in this one than my 2016 limited...
Much appreciated!

 

[Ch28]

Its been a few months so thought I'd report back with an update. I had very similar characteristics to what most have experienced on this thread and since the dealer tightened the driveshaft flange bolts to spec the noise/clunk has never returned.

Good luck to those that are still struggling with this.

Just curious if the clunk is still gone or has it returned?

 

[eduardolalo11]

Just curious if the clunk is still gone or has it returned?

I am curious too.

 

[The_Chemist]

My truck has been in the shop since last Tuesday for numerous factory defects. The transmission/differential clunk being one of the issues.

It would be great to find out if the answer is as simple as tightening the drive shafts flange bolts! I could call the dealer and have them perform that repair while the truck is still there.

I'm really hoping that after all the factory slop is corrected, I'll finally have a good reliable truck.

 

[NDanecker]

Just curious if the clunk is still gone or has it returned?

Clunk is still gone. No issues with drivetrain since that fix. Fix done around 1800 miles. Currently have 7600 miles.

 

[The_Chemist]

Clunk is still gone. No issues with drivetrain since that fix. Fix done around 1800 miles. Currently have 7600 miles.

Thanks for that info. I emailed my service advisor at Heritage (formerly Freedom) and let him know the fix that worked for you.

My truck is in its home away from home (the shop) since last Tuesday. Hopefully they can apply your fix to mine and finally get this solved.

 

[RamCares]

My truck has been in the shop since last Tuesday for numerous factory defects. The transmission/differential clunk being one of the issues.

It would be great to find out if the answer is as simple as tightening the drive shafts flange bolts! I could call the dealer and have them perform that repair while the truck is still there.

I'm really hoping that after all the factory slop is corrected, I'll finally have a good reliable truck.

Hi The_Chemist,

Please keep us updated on your dealer’s findings. If we can be of any assistance, feel free to send us a PM. We would be happy to help.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[The_Chemist]

Apparently, my rear end clunk was a lot more serious than just torquing bolts to spec.

The Chrysler rep drove my truck. The dealer is now rebuilding the differential. Waiting on a second gear to arrive. The first gear arrived damaged.

Geez, when you buy a defective toaster, you can just return it for a new one. When you buy a defective vehicle, you're out of luck!

 

[Edwards]

Apparently, my rear end clunk was a lot more serious than just torquing bolts to spec.

The Chrysler rep drove my truck. The dealer is now rebuilding the differential. Waiting on a second gear to arrive. The first gear arrived damaged.

Geez, when you buy a defective toaster, you can just return it for a new one. When you buy a defective vehicle, you're out of luck!

Yikes! I've got very similar symptoms and hate to hear this.

Any easy diagnosis like checking fluid for shavings (or chunks)?

 

[The_Chemist]

Yikes! I've got very similar symptoms and hate to hear this.

Any easy diagnosis like checking fluid for shavings (or chunks)?

I know! It is quite disturbing. I could deal with it better if it were the only issue my truck would have.

Unfortunately for me, my truck is a big yellow lemon. The rear brakes are also being replaced when they rebuild the diff. ...and the list goes on. All this nonsense started with a little over 100 miles on the vehicle. It now has 2,601 miles on it.

I am a chemist who works for an electroplating facility in York PA. One of the officers of my company said why don't they just give you a new truck? Yeah right! I'm stuck now...

I've been really patient, bit it's just one thing after another with this truck.

The contractor who takes care of our I.T. here at work said I inspired him. He was going to buy a truck exactly like mine. After he saw all the issues I'm having with mine, he bought an F150.

Luckily, so far, I have a level 3 tech working on my truck at the dealer. He's quite good. But, what a hassle!

 

[NDanecker]

Apparently, my rear end clunk was a lot more serious than just torquing bolts to spec.

The Chrysler rep drove my truck. The dealer is now rebuilding the differential. Waiting on a second gear to arrive. The first gear arrived damaged.

Geez, when you buy a defective toaster, you can just return it for a new one. When you buy a defective vehicle, you're out of luck!

I didn't know dealers would even try to rebuild axles. I've heard they just replace the whole axle assembly as the time spent rebuilding vs. replacing is similar with less likely of it going wrong. Gear swapping is somewhat of an art to get right. I've done maybe a dozen or so gear swaps and it does take some practice to get it right. This is after I've had 2 so called professional gear shops rebuild my 88 mustang rear and 2004 Dodge 3500 axles without success which sent me on the quest to do this work myself. I've made some mistakes having to rebuild a 2nd time but the last few I've done worked without issues.

Wish you luck. Unfortunately you will never know if it was the axle rebuild or the driveshaft flange bolts that caused the issue (unless of course they torque the flange bolts incorrectly similar to what the factory did - LOL).