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

[Rustydodge]

Alright everyone, after a long tedious 2 day process I believe my noise is gone. After talking with the stars and support team they sent me an image. It’s under the black bracket under the a-pillar body mount (one right below the front doors). Had to remove all the cab bolts lift the cab up and remove that black bracket and the mount. The attached picture is the witness marks of the body to the black bracket making contact. The “fix” is to “dish or dent” the body up some so it doesn’t make contact with the bracket. After getting it all back together and a couple test drives I didn’t hear the noise once. Where before I would hear it basically pulling out of the shop all through the lot.

Haven't been paying attention to this thread since i don't have a 5th gen, but this reminds me of a known problem on the durango forums. If you jack on the wrong front bracket the wrong way, you will slightly bend it. Then when that bracket contacts the body it will clunk.

Do you think it is possible that if you jack on the bottom of the bolt/bracket/mount that it makes it contact the body and causes the clunk?

In any case, great work on (hopefully) finding the cause.

Also, nice work 19RamLimited with the rubber isolators. Good idea

 

[19RamLimited]

So my parts were installed but they are also working with Star. One part I’m missing because of the storm. My advisor tried to explain it to me. Said that metal on metal is horrible and Star is reporting some sort of “noise dampening foam” that will also be installed to get rid of the metal on metal contact. I’ll pick up the truck today and take it back when that foam arrives.

He said the shorter bolts and new isolator, etc were installed and i should notice a difference but that foam is the last piece. So, we shall see!!! As long as they keep trying and are willing to make me happy, I’m good.

This almost sounds like 19ramlimited thing where he got rid of the metal to metal contact also.

I have some thoughts on the isolators.. To me they seem to be an issue. the bottom isolator does not make contact with the mount. very difficult to put into word. But the top isolator has a shaft that goes through it. that shaft is either too long or the bottom isolator is not tall enough.. If you go look at your trucks and feel the bottom of the isolator and feel how there is no preload on the bottom rubber. I think that is a problem also. because with no preload it allows the body to lift off the frame.

Sorry if I didn't do a good job ion explaining but ill try to make a video of what I am talking about.

 

[warvet]

I have some thoughts on the isolators.. To me they seem to be an issue. the bottom isolator does not make contact with the mount. very difficult to put into word. But the top isolator has a shaft that goes through it. that shaft is either too long or the bottom isolator is not tall enough.. If you go look at your trucks and feel the bottom of the isolator and feel how there is no preload on the bottom rubber. I think that is a problem also. because with no preload it allows the body to lift off the frame.

Sorry if I didn't do a good job ion explaining but ill try to make a video of what I am talking about.

I can tear a Harley apart but not too good with vehicles. Lol

My isolators were replaced. Just two i think. Sounds like you’re saying there are four. Not sure if they are some new design but the bolt is shorter for sure. I’ll see how much better it is. I’m picking it up now but still need to return for that foam to eliminate metal on metal

All I know is my service manager’s is fixed. I know I keep saying that but he’s standing beside me now and still all smiles. They’re doing everything to mine they did to his.

I talked to the tech who said Someone named Tony, a star guy, said those foam pieces have been “added” along with the parts already exchanged. That’s why they want me back

 

[19RamLimited]

I can tear a Harley apart but not too good with vehicles. Lol

My isolators were replaced. Just two i think. Sounds like you’re saying there are four. Not sure if they are some new design but the bolt is shorter for sure. I’ll see how much better it is. I’m picking it up now but still need to return for that foam to eliminate metal on metal

All I know is my service manager’s is fixed. I know I keep saying that but he’s standing beside me now and still all smiles. They’re doing everything to mine they did to his.

I talked to the tech who said Someone named Tony, a star guy, said those foam pieces have been “added” along with the parts already exchanged. That’s why they want me back

There is a top and bottom to the isolator. its a sandwich. The frame is sandwiched between two isolators. The bottom isolator should have some preload on it.. tension.. there is none. there is on the top obviously because the weight of the truck body is on them. There are a total of 8 isolators I believe. 4 on each side. for the body and the the bed has some also

 

[warvet]

There is a top and bottom to the isolator. its a sandwich. The frame is sandwiched between two isolators. The bottom isolator should have some preload on it.. tension.. there is none. there is on the top obviously because the weight of the truck body is on them. There are a total of 8 isolators I believe. 4 on each side. for the body and the the bed has some also

Oh gotcha. I’ll have to ask. Maybe 2 ea meant —-2 sets each. Not sure how many they changed. I was in such a hurry to get back to work i didn’t pay attention to if it clunked or not.

 

[TurdFerguson]

Subscribed... Ive got the clunk of death too..

 

[warvet]

Well, I had the clunk about 3 -4 times driving to dealership at 730am. Haven’t felt it since picking it up at lunch or this evening coming home with those shorter bolts, new absorbers and new isolators. I’ll head back Friday or Monday for the other piece that the Star ppl told them to install to get rid of the metal on metal.

So for now I still won’t say it’s fixed. But it’s taking a break, for sure.

 

[19RamLimited]

Well, I had the clunk about 3 -4 times driving to dealership at 730am. Haven’t felt it since picking it up at lunch or this evening coming home with those shorter bolts, new absorbers and new isolators. I’ll head back Friday or Monday for the other piece that the Star ppl told them to install to get rid of the metal on metal.

So for now I still won’t say it’s fixed. But it’s taking a break, for sure.

That’s good news!

 

[Cattail cruncher]

Good news things that go clunk are not good, Glad a fix is on the way.

 

[TurdFerguson]

Is there something specific you guys are telling your service advisers
other than "it goes clunk."?

 

[Delmonico_19]

Is there something specific you guys are telling your service advisers
other than "it goes clunk."?

I’d use the term popping under left floor board at feet. Then describe when it happens.

 

[TurdFerguson]

Odd thing about mine is it almost seems under/behind my seat.

 

[warvet]

I’d use the term popping under left floor board at feet. Then describe when it happens.

And make sure the advisor writes it up correctly. Lol. The first time I took mine in, I watched the technician drive it in the parking lot and then said “no popping”.....I looked at the advisors notes and he didn’t write what I told him.

 

[RamCares]

Glad to see a new star pub. I screen shot the number so I can take that to my dealer when I take my truck in. Provided the service department ever returns my call anyways.

Did you get in touch with them Awd1990tsi? Let me know if you need any help closing the gap in communication with the dealer.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Delmonico_19]

Odd thing about mine is it almost seems under/behind my seat.

Which is the same area. Mine i felt all the way from under my seat to the feet. On both sides.

 

[ClarkGriswold]

I’m having the same issue with my 1500 Laramie with air suspension, I’ve got 700 miles on it. Seems to be on the drivers side, but can’t tell for sure? All set with the dealer, unless it gets really bad

 

[19RamLimited]

Ive driven mine for another day. Seems to be gone. I may need to take it to get the new isolators so I can document the differences in them. Im very curious as to what the differences are in the part numbers listed

 

[OgRedd]

Did you get in touch with them Awd1990tsi? Let me know if you need any help closing the gap in communication with the dealer.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

My dealer suggested that I wait until a TSB is issued. Is this something you think I should wait on or go further?

 

[MopaRAMan]

I thought the same thing about the lower body mount bushings. I took pictures of the gap under the isolator that 19Ramlimited mentioned. You can see the clean area on the bracket where the lower bushing occasionally comes in contact. The bushing appears to rotate, which indicates it’s loose at some point.

 

[19RamLimited]

I thought the same thing about the lower body mount bushings. I took pictures of the gap under the isolator that 19Ramlimited mentioned. You can see the clean area on the bracket where the lower bushing occasionally comes in contact. The bushing appears to rotate, which indicates it’s loose at some point.

EXACTLY! Thats a great pic. you can even see how they have made contact with the mount. Now put math to how much movement that is in total. Think about the gap plus the give of the lower isolator. its a lot. So at some point the isolator is actually just loose. When the isolator "Reseats itself some noise is made.