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

[OgRedd]

Good to see that there's movement on Ram's part for a fix. I've been driving my '19 for the last couple of weeks without any fixes - just trying to ignore the noise. Either my mental state is extremely excellent or the clunking has diminished so that I hadn't heard it in a while now. Maybe the clunking forces the body to massage itself after awhile (?) and the noise progressively goes away. Not sure, but I can tell you all, it's definitely not noticeable. Still going to watch the thread for a TSB and take it in to the dealer at that time. FWIW, I'm extremely happy at this point with my Limited.

 

[superbird77]

Add me to the clunk list, late September build date FYI. I have notified the dealer but have yet to hear back. Hopefully they can fix the clunk and the water leaking into the cab when it goes in.

 

[Douglas31]

My appointment to get it fixed is tomorrow but I’m confused as to why they ordered 2 isolators, 2 bolts, but only 1 absorber. Maybe they have another in stock. Who knows.

 

[19RamLimited]

I wonder when builds will start having the fix for the clunk.

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

Crazy, I know. I was told this from a service manager who has been in touch with the higher ups. Said this isn’t the first time FCA has blessed it’s dealers with such issues for them to figure out either. They better start figuring something out quick, because I’ve got two words for them if they don’t- Ford/Chevy.

I'd steer clear of GM. I just got out of my Sierra with the infamous Chevy Shake that GM never fixed for the entire run of the K2XX (2014-2018) platform, they came up with an arbitrary NVH vibration value hooked the truck to their pico scope and told most people with the issue that the truck was functioning within it's design parameters, owners had to fight for buy backs. The truck would vibrate at 68-72 mph even on the smoothest of roads, Countless road force balances and tires replaced, rear ends replaced, body mounts loosened and retorqued, spring clamps, new shocks you name it people were trying it to get rid of the issue. 808 pages and countinging, they restructured the forum and no long number the posts but it was well over 10000 before removing the post numbers. https://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/153186-shake-or-vibration-issues/. I'd rather have a pop or a clunk to try and locate than a Vibration. The problem on the GM's was the Vibration was third order harmonic which means it's not caused by a simple imbalance. I think GM knows what causes it and the fix is too expensive, either way I'm glad I don't have to deal with it anymore.

I haven't noticed a clunk in my Laramie and I have a early build February/2018 but I'll pay closer attention and see if I notice anything.

 

[Billet1500 4x4]

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.

This is how they are designed. The 2019's use a hydraulic body mount to reduce NVH. It's much more complicated than just a solid piece of rubber. I've attached a cut view from a patent there are several different patents but the basic design is the same. The piece you see that's not touching would be 152B on the cut sheet. When you look at the mount from the bottom side you can't see where the mount rigidly attaches to the frame you see the main cab bolt that ties everything to the body. The mount is actually filled with hydraulic fluid and is allowed to move up and down to absorb vibrations. The witness marks you're seeing are the result of the mount doing exactly what it's supposed to do. It's basically a mini shock absorber.

 

[DSOOBY]

Mine has started to clunk now that it's a little cooler outside ( contraction of metals), that said its only for maybe the first minute of driving in the morning then once the mount "loosens" up it goes away. Anyone else notice it being intermittent like this? It really doesn't bother me all that much but I understand folks being upset by it.

 

[warvet]

Just a note to everyone that mine has still not clunked since getting it back from the dealer. It’s gone.

Same here bro!! No one believes us lol ...........I'm clunk free and smooth sailing since they changed my isolators, bolts, and absorbers. They threw some foam stips on mine also to rid some of the metal on metal and I think it causes it snug up tighter like adding a washer.

So that's three trucks that have been fixed. Yours, mine, and my service manager.

 

[syddog 2000]

Still Waiting for the TSB, Mine has gone from occasional to moderate.

 

[19RamLimited]

Still Waiting for the TSB, Mine has gone from occasional to moderate.

Honestly I would just take it in and get the absorbers and isolators replaced as others have. It seems to be a resolution. The bolts are only replaced because they have new loctite they are still an AA part number. The other two parts are AB so they are changed.
Everyone that has had this repair says it fixed their truck.

 

[echristi]

I am reading all 31! pages of this thread; My limited build of 7/18 started the clunk yesterday, very infrequently... I am going to try and get it reproducible by the time I go in on the 16th for my leaking axle seal.
Thank you everyone for all the information!

Edit: I will be bringing the part numbers... thank you everyone again... great information!

 

[Temporable]

I don’t believe so.

2018 Ram Mega Cab 2500 4x4 Diesel No Air Ride All OEM 12K Miles.
Started hearing/kinda feeling clunk at low speed left turns around 11K miles. Dealer inspected and retourqued everything.
Now clunking is heard/felt in low speed left turns and sometimes right as well as over paved road ripples.
In the last 500 miles also experiencing a left to right sensation when turning at 65-75 mph such as on a so cal freeway transition.
Experienced the same feeling when backing up in a parking lot and had the power steering maxed. When I felt the pressure and backed off slightly the “crab” affect feeling went away.
Dealer has now had the truck for the second time since Monday 10/01/18 and I have not heard a word.

 

[RamCares]

Add me to the clunk list, late September build date FYI. I have notified the dealer but have yet to hear back. Hopefully they can fix the clunk and the water leaking into the cab when it goes in.

Hello superbird77,

We're sorry to hear you're experiencing this as well. We've been documenting this concern so that the appropriate departments can review this. Send me a direct message with your VIN so I can create a case.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[touchless21]

I have the clunk issue. I am very sensitive to noises on expensive vehicles. I actually traded in my 2018 Sierra because I took it in 3 times for a wind noise issue that could not be fixed.

I have taken my RAM in for the center console/12in display noise, that was fixed. But they said they couldn't replicate the clunk. That was a week after taking delivery. Now that you all are talking about it, I will go back in and have them look to fix the issue before taking my truck back.

 

[BlackLoneStarHemi]

Hello superbird77,

We're sorry to hear you're experiencing this as well. We've been documenting this concern so that the appropriate departments can review this. Send me a direct message with your VIN so I can create a case.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

I called 2 dealer service departments to ask if they had any information about this issue. Both advisors said they were not aware of this concern. Both asked for the vehicle to be brought in to check out the problem. I am wondering if I should wait until there is an official TSB on how to fix this.

 

[DSOOBY]

I called 2 dealer service departments to ask if they had any information about this issue. Both advisors said they were not aware of this concern. Both asked for the vehicle to be brought in to check out the problem. I am wondering if I should wait until there is an official TSB on how to fix this.

I’m waiting for the TSB.

 

[Douglas31]

Ok, here we go...just got off the phone with the dealer and they replaced the two body isolators, bolts and absorbers and said it did not fix the problem and they now are going to order and replace all 5 body isolators to try and fix it. Sorry to have to throw the curveball into the fix.

 

[19RamLimited]

Ok, here we go...just got off the phone with the dealer and they replaced the two body isolators, bolts and absorbers and said it did not fix the problem and they now are going to order and replace all 5 body isolators to try and fix it. Sorry to have to throw the curveball into the fix.

Really!? This is not good news.

 

[Douglas31]

Really!? This is not good news.

Not good although it is always possible that fix works for most and I have a different issue going on.

 

[druchala]

And I have the dreaded clunk as well. Been fighting it since a week after purchase. It's been in twice, Tightened the shock mounts first time and re-aligned the body mounts the second. Clunk is lessened now but still there. It is good to know that I am not crazy and there are other people with the same issue. Oh and it's a 2019 Limited.