Mysterious clunk and squeak in my 5th gen ram

[Notorious.D.A.V]

I got a 2019 ram 1500 limited. Sadly, it has this clunk sound when going over potholes and bumps at lower speeds. It’s also accompanied by a squeak too. My dad and I have replaced almost everything in the suspension. Sway bar bushings, links, air struts(which took forever to arrive) CV axles. Hell, even the whole front differential was replaced. Even with all those things, it still has this clunk. And to make it worse, it sounds horrible when it’s cold outside, but sounds less when the truck is ran and warmed up. Pls 5th gen ram owners, help me find a solution!! I’m going crazy over this damn sound!!!

 

[Rebob0510]

I got a 2019 ram 1500 limited. Sadly, it has this clunk sound when going over potholes and bumps at lower speeds. It’s also accompanied by a squeak too. My dad and I have replaced almost everything in the suspension. Sway bar bushings, links, air struts(which took forever to arrive) CV axles. Hell, even the whole front differential was replaced. Even with all those things, it still has this clunk. And to make it worse, it sounds horrible when it’s cold outside, but sounds less when the truck is ran and warmed up. Pls 5th gen ram owners, help me find a solution!! I’m going crazy over this damn sound!!!

I hope your fix is as easy as mine was.. I have been dealing with a similar clunk for the last month or so. In the morning when it was cold it was bad, as it warmed up outside or as I drove it seemed to be less noisy. I've been under the truck checking things... cant find anything loose. Today when leaving work I decided for $#its and giggles to check the spare tire... went on one knee and grabbed the tire and could wiggle it with some effort. Pulled my truck inside, got the tools out and cranked it up tight and no noise at all on my 30 mile drive home. Hopefully yours is something simple as this

Rob

 

[scottmoyer]

I think I know your fix. I had a clunk over speed bumps that had me thinking bushings, sway bar endlinks, shocks bottoming out, etc. The fix was very inexpensive and easy to do. Another member here found a new TRX owner that fought with their dealer over a clunk when driving on rough trails and the dealer replaced the four front body mounts with a new design. Those TRX body mounts worked on his Rebel, and mine. The job took less than an hour to do and cost less than $100. After over 3 years of dealing with this, it's enjoyable to hit speed bumps at speed now because the truck is silent!!!

F

Thread 'New Body Mount Parts, no more CLUNK!!'

Sep 19, 2024

So like many of you, I've had the famous "clunk" sound/feeling when going over bumps at low speeds. I've changed parts out, tightened every bolt down I knew to tighten, lowered my Bilstein 5100s thinking maybe they were getting maxed out. All for nothing. I found one video, which I posted on this page a week or so ago, where a guy with a TRX described the exact same issues I and many of you were having. He made a good video showing how the body mount bushings/isolators were a poor design and Ram had updated part numbers for a better designed piece. I was skeptical since every "fix" I've...

• firemedic10584
• body mount clunk
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Exterior

• 

 

[Notorious.D.A.V]

I think I know your fix. I had a clunk over speed bumps that had me thinking bushings, sway bar endlinks, shocks bottoming out, etc. The fix was very inexpensive and easy to do. Another member here found a new TRX owner that fought with their dealer over a clunk when driving on rough trails and the dealer replaced the four front body mounts with a new design. Those TRX body mounts worked on his Rebel, and mine. The job took less than an hour to do and cost less than $100. After over 3 years of dealing with this, it's enjoyable to hit speed bumps at speed now because the truck is silent!!!

F

Thread 'New Body Mount Parts, no more CLUNK!!'

Sep 19, 2024

So like many of you, I've had the famous "clunk" sound/feeling when going over bumps at low speeds. I've changed parts out, tightened every bolt down I knew to tighten, lowered my Bilstein 5100s thinking maybe they were getting maxed out. All for nothing. I found one video, which I posted on this page a week or so ago, where a guy with a TRX described the exact same issues I and many of you were having. He made a good video showing how the body mount bushings/isolators were a poor design and Ram had updated part numbers for a better designed piece. I was skeptical since every "fix" I've...

• firemedic10584
• body mount clunk
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Exterior

• 

I think I know your fix. I had a clunk over speed bumps that had me thinking bushings, sway bar endlinks, shocks bottoming out, etc. The fix was very inexpensive and easy to do. Another member here found a new TRX owner that fought with their dealer over a clunk when driving on rough trails and the dealer replaced the four front body mounts with a new design. Those TRX body mounts worked on his Rebel, and mine. The job took less than an hour to do and cost less than $100. After over 3 years of dealing with this, it's enjoyable to hit speed bumps at speed now because the truck is silent!!!

F

Thread 'New Body Mount Parts, no more CLUNK!!'

Sep 19, 2024

So like many of you, I've had the famous "clunk" sound/feeling when going over bumps at low speeds. I've changed parts out, tightened every bolt down I knew to tighten, lowered my Bilstein 5100s thinking maybe they were getting maxed out. All for nothing. I found one video, which I posted on this page a week or so ago, where a guy with a TRX described the exact same issues I and many of you were having. He made a good video showing how the body mount bushings/isolators were a poor design and Ram had updated part numbers for a better designed piece. I was skeptical since every "fix" I've...

• firemedic10584
• body mount clunk
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Exterior

• 

Okay, I took it to a mechanic to tighten the body mount bolts. This did reduce the noise a lot to when it first started clunking. However I do believe these defective body mounts will need to be replaced though, I’ll have to order them and install them which should be fairly easy. Thank you, all of you for your feedback and support

 

[Rebob0510]

Upon further review it wasn't my spare tire, After I tightened it up I must have missed every spot in the road that would cause my clunk... Its still there LOL

 

[Notorious.D.A.V]

I think I know your fix. I had a clunk over speed bumps that had me thinking bushings, sway bar endlinks, shocks bottoming out, etc. The fix was very inexpensive and easy to do. Another member here found a new TRX owner that fought with their dealer over a clunk when driving on rough trails and the dealer replaced the four front body mounts with a new design. Those TRX body mounts worked on his Rebel, and mine. The job took less than an hour to do and cost less than $100. After over 3 years of dealing with this, it's enjoyable to hit speed bumps at speed now because the truck is silent!!!

F

Thread 'New Body Mount Parts, no more CLUNK!!'

Sep 19, 2024

So like many of you, I've had the famous "clunk" sound/feeling when going over bumps at low speeds. I've changed parts out, tightened every bolt down I knew to tighten, lowered my Bilstein 5100s thinking maybe they were getting maxed out. All for nothing. I found one video, which I posted on this page a week or so ago, where a guy with a TRX described the exact same issues I and many of you were having. He made a good video showing how the body mount bushings/isolators were a poor design and Ram had updated part numbers for a better designed piece. I was skeptical since every "fix" I've...

• firemedic10584
• body mount clunk
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Exterior

• 

Just installed the new lower body mounts, it still sounds the same. Any other suggestions?

 

[Cbty2050]

How much money have you invested in this clunk?

 

[dajogejr]

How much money have you invested in this clunk?

I’m gonna guess a lot more than going to a dealer to get it diagnosed.

OP, it may be time…or it may even be well past the time to let a shop look at it.
I commend you for being a DIYer, truly, I do.
But man, I think at this point you’re throwing good money after bad…

 

[scottmoyer]

Just installed the new lower body mounts, it still sounds the same. Any other suggestions?

Did you replace only the lower body mounts? Or, did you replace the entire body mount, including the top?

 

[Notorious.D.A.V]

Did you replace only the lower body mounts? Or, did you replace the entire body mount, including the top?

I only replaced the bottom mounts, I only get the noise when driving straight. Not when making turns

 

[Notorious.D.A.V]

How much money have you invested in this clunk?

Right now, probably around $3,000. Mostly from the front differential and front air struts.

 

[Notorious.D.A.V]

I’m gonna guess a lot more than going to a dealer to get it diagnosed.

OP, it may be time…or it may even be well past the time to let a shop look at it.
I commend you for being a DIYer, truly, I do.
But man, I think at this point you’re throwing good money after bad…

Agreed, I just don’t know what kind of shop to take it to. Any suggestions?

 

[scottmoyer]

There's body flex over bumps or anything. The body mount design shown in the post I linked to shows that the upper 1/2 of the body mounts are part of the issue. Mine would clunk going over a speed bump straight on. The TRX owner was driving down a washboard trail. Replacing only the bottom 1/2 didn't address the body mount issue at all. You need to do the entire job.

 

[Notorious.D.A.V]

There's body flex over bumps or anything. The body mount design shown in the post I linked to shows that the upper 1/2 of the body mounts are part of the issue. Mine would clunk going over a speed bump straight on. The TRX owner was driving down a washboard trail. Replacing only the bottom 1/2 didn't address the body mount issue at all. You need to do the entire job.

Ok, I’ll try to replace the upper mounts too.

 

[dajogejr]

Agreed, I just don’t know what kind of shop to take it to. Any suggestions?

Dealer.
Find one you’re comfortable with and can trust. Explain the problem…and you’re not looking for them to play the guessing game.
I get a lot of people have a bad taste in their mouth from dealerships. I’m lucky enough not to have that issue.

 

[Rebob0510]

Update on my clunk... I think I finally found it. I did the body mount update, still had the same noise. Did some more research and found people talking about the sway bar bushings getting worn, when they do the the shoulder of the sway bar itself can make contact with the piece of metal that locks the bushing in place. I found a good youtube video and ordered the energy suspension kit and did the swap yesterday. With the front tires on ramps it took me a total of 10 minutes to do the swap. The stock sway bar bushings were shot and are made of a very soft rubber. While you have the sway bar down its also very easy to move the sway bar around and make sure you have no play in the sway bar end links. Went for 2 different test drives and so far nice and quiet and no clunks. The part number is in the picture for anyone looking for it. Hope this helps

 

[dajogejr]

Update on my clunk... I think I finally found it

Year and mileage of your truck, if you don’t mind.

 

[Rebob0510]

Year and mileage of your truck, if you don’t mind.

its a 2020 with 60k on the clock

 

[Cbty2050]

That is a lot of time and money spent on sway bar bushings......

 

[Rebob0510]

That is a lot of time and money spent on sway bar bushings......

IM not the OP, just someone who also had a clunk and figured I would post my fix to hopefully help fix his or someone else's LOL