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Rear End Clunk

NDanecker

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Truck has 898 miles. Just started to hear a clunk from the rear end. Sounds very much like the pinion nut coming lose and allowing the pinion to slide back and forth in housing when transitioning from throttle to coast (when the ring gear drives the pinion and sucks it backwards).

Problem is my dealer is booking 1 month out. This thing will be worn out by then and singing like canary. Not my problem.

Who wants to bet they'll be replacing the whole axle assembly?
 

NDanecker

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I wouldn't wait a month. Just go there one morning, they can't turn you away.

I've dealt with this dealer before with my 14 Ram and 18 Trackhawk. They do OK work and very close to work, has loaner cars, etc. I have tried they are just too busy. When my turbo solenoid went bad on my '14 diesel they booked me 1 month out also but I dropped off the truck as it was not usable. Took them 2 weeks before they would look at it, and then 1 week to order parts and fix. They are just that busy unfortunately.

Was wondering if others had a similar issue, or is this a common issue.
 

Grayghost

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I've dealt with this dealer before with my 14 Ram and 18 Trackhawk. They do OK work and very close to work, has loaner cars, etc. I have tried they are just too busy. When my turbo solenoid went bad on my '14 diesel they booked me 1 month out also but I dropped off the truck as it was not usable. Took them 2 weeks before they would look at it, and then 1 week to order parts and fix. They are just that busy unfortunately.

Was wondering if others had a similar issue, or is this a common issue.
 

Grayghost

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I have a 2019 bighorn with 3:92 ratio. My rear end started clunking when I accelerate or decelerate. I believe after lying under the truck while someone engaged forward and then reverse that it is in the rear end. I have 4500 miles on mine, with absolutely no work besides driving to work like an old man. My front brakes also grind when put in reverse after being parked overnight. I also am experiencing the cab noise when my three kids are in the backseat that is like and exhaust leak. I spoke to the service gal at my dealership and she said ram is aware of this noise and it is acceptable.....I hope she was kidding. I also have the e torque motor, and the best mpg I get when feathering the throttle in town is 14.5. I have owned dodge/ram pickups since 1992, and I love this truck, but what a POS so far. I am scheduled to take mine into the dealership this Wed and I'll let you know what they come up with. I guess I shouldn't feel too bad, the wife's 74k 2017 Yukon denali was just in the shop for a pinion seal that was leaking....Yeah it was under warranty but with 25k miles there shouldn't be any problems. Might have to go back to an 84 chevy, at least when it breaks down I can fix it and I expect that out of a 35 year old truck!
 

RamCares

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I have a 2019 bighorn with 3:92 ratio. My rear end started clunking when I accelerate or decelerate. I believe after lying under the truck while someone engaged forward and then reverse that it is in the rear end. I have 4500 miles on mine, with absolutely no work besides driving to work like an old man. My front brakes also grind when put in reverse after being parked overnight. I also am experiencing the cab noise when my three kids are in the backseat that is like and exhaust leak. I spoke to the service gal at my dealership and she said ram is aware of this noise and it is acceptable.....I hope she was kidding. I also have the e torque motor, and the best mpg I get when feathering the throttle in town is 14.5. I have owned dodge/ram pickups since 1992, and I love this truck, but what a POS so far. I am scheduled to take mine into the dealership this Wed and I'll let you know what they come up with. I guess I shouldn't feel too bad, the wife's 74k 2017 Yukon denali was just in the shop for a pinion seal that was leaking....Yeah it was under warranty but with 25k miles there shouldn't be any problems. Might have to go back to an 84 chevy, at least when it breaks down I can fix it and I expect that out of a 35 year old truck!

Hi Grayghost,
We certainly understand your frustrations and apologize for any inconvenience you have experienced. Please let us know the outcome of your appointment on Wednesday. If you need any additional assistance, we are only a private message away.

I have started noticing a little takeup in the driveline. I'm at 11k miles. I'll be watching this thread.

Hi Excursion,
We are sorry to hear of these concerns you have began experiencing. If you find these concerns continue or worsen, feel free to send us a private message so we can better assist.

Jenn
Ram Social Care Specialist
 

riccnick

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I also have slack in the drivetrain. Dealer could not replicate at the time, but I didn't have the time to test drive with them. My suspicion is either slip yoke needs grease, or rear end needs re-torquing. I'll have to see if I can get under the truck and play around a bit and see if I can narrow it down. It's super obvious when coming to a slow "stop" (still rolling) and getting off the brake and back on the throttle.
 

ExcursionDiesel

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Yes. Rolling on the throttle after deceleration at slow speeds reproduces the "bump" every time. As soon as someone gets this fixed, I'd like to know exactly what was found and how it was fixed.
 

NDanecker

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ExcursionDiesel

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NDanecker

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I checked my flange bolts and everything seems tight. I tugged on each bolt and none would budge. I doubt I was pulling at 90 ft-lb since I was on my back.

That is what makes this one a difficult issue to diagnose. The bolts appear tight but are not tight enough to keep the joint from slipping.

Put car in drive, apply torque and then put in park. Mark the flange and pinion. Put car in reverse, apply torque and then put in park. Check marks. Bet they don't line up. :)
 

ExcursionDiesel

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That is what makes this one a difficult issue to diagnose. The bolts appear tight but are not tight enough to keep the joint from slipping.

Put car in drive, apply torque and then put in park. Mark the flange and pinion. Put car in reverse, apply torque and then put in park. Check marks. Bet they don't line up. :)
I'll try that. I hope that's the issue. Easy fix.
 

Fidomac

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I've dealt with this dealer before with my 14 Ram and 18 Trackhawk. They do OK work and very close to work, has loaner cars, etc. I have tried they are just too busy. When my turbo solenoid went bad on my '14 diesel they booked me 1 month out also but I dropped off the truck as it was not usable. Took them 2 weeks before they would look at it, and then 1 week to order parts and fix. They are just that busy unfortunately.

Was wondering if others had a similar issue, or is this a common issue.
Yes... first time it happened to me I thought someone had slightly rear-ended me
 

eduardolalo11

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I have a 2019 bighorn with 3:92 ratio. My rear end started clunking when I accelerate or decelerate. I believe after lying under the truck while someone engaged forward and then reverse that it is in the rear end. I have 4500 miles on mine, with absolutely no work besides driving to work like an old man. My front brakes also grind when put in reverse after being parked overnight. I also am experiencing the cab noise when my three kids are in the backseat that is like and exhaust leak. I spoke to the service gal at my dealership and she said ram is aware of this noise and it is acceptable.....I hope she was kidding. I also have the e torque motor, and the best mpg I get when feathering the throttle in town is 14.5. I have owned dodge/ram pickups since 1992, and I love this truck, but what a POS so far. I am scheduled to take mine into the dealership this Wed and I'll let you know what they come up with. I guess I shouldn't feel too bad, the wife's 74k 2017 Yukon denali was just in the shop for a pinion seal that was leaking....Yeah it was under warranty but with 25k miles there shouldn't be any problems. Might have to go back to an 84 chevy, at least when it breaks down I can fix it and I expect that out of a 35 year old truck!
were you able to get it fixed? and if so, what did they do?

thank you so much in advance!
 

5OneTwo

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4 years later, I still have this issue. 59k miles on the clock and the dealer wants to charge for differential service. Nice, right?
 

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