Surge when letting off brakes

[kmck94]

Hey Guys,

One of the first builds Ram Big Horn here. The build date was 03/18. I have a new issue that I have not seen on the forum.
Every time I come to a complete stop, sit a the stop light or stop sign when I let off the brake I get a surge. Best way to explain the surge is if a small car bumped you in the back. I don't think passengers can notice it but I can, every time I release the brake pedal.
It is NOT surging when I am stopping.
It almost feels like a brake caliper is sticking for a half a second and releases.
Has anyone seen this before or know of a fix I can do myself? Could this hurt the drivetrain in the long run?

As always I know I can bring it to the dealer but more than likely I will get the "That is a characteristic of the RAM" and don't want to be without a truck for days.

I have also been to the dealer 8ish times already in the past 11 months of ownership due to small things and recalls so I really don't want to go back.

 

[db682]

I have the same thing but mine is usually when I'm backing out of a spot or just slowly rolling after letting off the brakes. It feels like the motor and tranny dont like being driven slow. It's like the computer is bumping the gas pedal or something.

 

[kmck94]

I have the same thing but mine is usually when I'm backing out of a spot or just slowly rolling after letting off the brakes. It feels like the motor and tranny dont like being driven slow. It's like the computer is bumping the gas pedal or something.

Good point. It used to not bother me because it was intermediate. Now it happens every time.
It also feels like the tranny also goes into neutral, as soon as the brake is released it goes back into gear, surges, and then everything else back to normal.

 

[Techguy2000]

I believe I have this as well, mainly feel it in the morning when backing out of a ~120ft driveway, I stop, shift into drive and the first small application of gas makes the car jerk. Sometimes after being stoped at a light it will jerk a bit, but doesn't seem as bad as the first one (unsure of this though).

Mine is a November 2018 build (bought a week ago though). Since we both have 3.92 gears, maybe something to do with that? I had a laramie with a 3.21 that I test drove for 2 full days (also a Nov 18 build) and I did not notice this behavior, it was incredibly smooth so was shocked when I had this happen.

 

[HKP7PSP]

Check out this thread: https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/rear-end-issue.1684/page-2#post-154152

I have this exact same issue. Upon coming to a stop, a bump feeling when letting off the brakes. The times when it does not happen, I get the same bump when accelerating from a stop instead. This is every single stop - a bump either after letting off the brakes, or when accelerating. This started around 5500 miles, it was fine for the first 5500. I am now at 8600.

It feels like a binding slip yoke on the drive shaft, that comes unsprung once tension is removed from the frame/body/whatever.

The good news is, I'm not quiet about problems. I take the truck in for the most minor of issues, and my dealer is more than happy to take care of me. I brought my truck in for this (see signature for truck's details) exact problem two weeks ago. The shop foreman took the job, and concurred with me that this is NOT right. They gave me a loaner for two days, while the foreman contacted STAR and explained that the slip yoke on the rear half of the drive shaft would not freely move - it would stick in the in or outward position. Both the foreman and the STAR technician agreed that this is not right. A new driveshaft was allocated, and arrived at my dealer last week. I go in this Thursday for the install.

I will report back if this resolves it, and hopefully I can get the STAR case number to share with all of you with the same problem.

 

[db682]

Check out this thread: https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/rear-end-issue.1684/page-2#post-154152

I have this exact same issue. Upon coming to a stop, a bump feeling when letting off the brakes. The times when it does not happen, I get the same bump when accelerating from a stop instead. This is every single stop - a bump either after letting off the brakes, or when accelerating. This started around 5500 miles, it was fine for the first 5500. I am now at 8600.

It feels like a binding slip yoke on the drive shaft, that comes unsprung once tension is removed from the frame/body/whatever.

The good news is, I'm not quiet about problems. I take the truck in for the most minor of issues, and my dealer is more than happy to take care of me. I brought my truck in for this (see signature for truck's details) exact problem two weeks ago. The shop foreman took the job, and concurred with me that this is NOT right. They gave me a loaner for two days, while the foreman contacted STAR and explained that the slip yoke on the rear half of the drive shaft would not freely move - it would stick in the in or outward position. Both the foreman and the STAR technician agreed that this is not right. A new driveshaft was allocated, and arrived at my dealer last week. I go in this Thursday for the install.

I will report back if this resolves it, and hopefully I can get the STAR case number to share with all of you with the same problem.

Please keep us updated on this.

 

[HKP7PSP]

Please keep us updated on this.

I will absolutely do so, friend. I've received a tremendous amount of help on this forum, and will gladly contribute as much as I can in return.

 

[RamCares]

Hey Guys,

One of the first builds Ram Big Horn here. The build date was 03/18. I have a new issue that I have not seen on the forum.
Every time I come to a complete stop, sit a the stop light or stop sign when I let off the brake I get a surge. Best way to explain the surge is if a small car bumped you in the back. I don't think passengers can notice it but I can, every time I release the brake pedal.
It is NOT surging when I am stopping.
It almost feels like a brake caliper is sticking for a half a second and releases.
Has anyone seen this before or know of a fix I can do myself? Could this hurt the drivetrain in the long run?

As always I know I can bring it to the dealer but more than likely I will get the "That is a characteristic of the RAM" and don't want to be without a truck for days.

I have also been to the dealer 8ish times already in the past 11 months of ownership due to small things and recalls so I really don't want to go back.

I understand why this is concerning and hate to hear you've been to the dealer so many times. If you do end up going back and need any assistance with that process, let us know. We're available via direct message and would be happy to help in any way we can.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[RamCares]

I have the same thing but mine is usually when I'm backing out of a spot or just slowly rolling after letting off the brakes. It feels like the motor and tranny dont like being driven slow. It's like the computer is bumping the gas pedal or something.

Hi db682,

As I mentioned to other forum members, let me know if you get this diagnosed. I am available via private message and can escalate a case for an added layer of help.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Zinger]

These trucks have hill-hold, don't they? I only get the slight bump feeling when I accelerate from a stop on a hill, so I assumed it was the hill-hold release. Just an assumption though, I never verified it.

 

[Billy James]

Check out this thread: https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/rear-end-issue.1684/page-2#post-154152

I have this exact same issue. Upon coming to a stop, a bump feeling when letting off the brakes. The times when it does not happen, I get the same bump when accelerating from a stop instead. This is every single stop - a bump either after letting off the brakes, or when accelerating. This started around 5500 miles, it was fine for the first 5500. I am now at 8600.

It feels like a binding slip yoke on the drive shaft, that comes unsprung once tension is removed from the frame/body/whatever.

The good news is, I'm not quiet about problems. I take the truck in for the most minor of issues, and my dealer is more than happy to take care of me. I brought my truck in for this (see signature for truck's details) exact problem two weeks ago. The shop foreman took the job, and concurred with me that this is NOT right. They gave me a loaner for two days, while the foreman contacted STAR and explained that the slip yoke on the rear half of the drive shaft would not freely move - it would stick in the in or outward position. Both the foreman and the STAR technician agreed that this is not right. A new driveshaft was allocated, and arrived at my dealer last week. I go in this Thursday for the install.

I will report back if this resolves it, and hopefully I can get the STAR case number to share with all of you with the same problem.

Interesting. Do you have the clunk on random starts as well? Seems these two things could be related. My truck does both the bump and the clunk.

 

[HKP7PSP]

Well, the new drive shaft fixed it for me. No more bump after stopping / letting off the brakes, or when accelerating.

I will update in the morning after my cold start before work, as to whether this also fixed the start up clunk that someone else asked about.

I've redacted some info, but here is the repair ticket/invoice. The dealer, Fair Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM is absolutely wonderful for taking the time to actually take my problem seriously, and for fixing it. I was unable to get the STAR number, but if you refer to this, I'm sure the dealership can get a hold of someone who can find out.

 

[Techguy2000]

That is really great news HK and thank you for sharing.

 

[kmck94]

Well, the new drive shaft fixed it for me. No more bump after stopping / letting off the brakes, or when accelerating.

I will update in the morning after my cold start before work, as to whether this also fixed the start up clunk that someone else asked about.

I've redacted some info, but here is the repair ticket/invoice. The dealer, Fair Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM is absolutely wonderful for taking the time to actually take my problem seriously, and for fixing it. I was unable to get the STAR number, but if you refer to this, I'm sure the dealership can get a hold of someone who can find out.

Still no thumping? Any clunking?
Trying to figure out how I should sell this to the dealer. Last time I said anything about a Forum they pretty much said screw off because they thought they knew everything and everyone on forums was guessing.

 

[HKP7PSP]

Still no thumping? Any clunking?
Trying to figure out how I should sell this to the dealer. Last time I said anything about a Forum they pretty much said screw off because they thought they knew everything and everyone on forums was guessing.

I can get it to very lightly do so under the right conditions. If I slow down or stop very very slowly, I can get it to happen - but it’s very soft and nowhere like the violent jolt I had before. Under normal driving and stopping it will not do it at all. I haven’t heard the start up clunk since the swap either, and my 7 hour highway drive yesterday seemed very smooth compared with previous highway drives.

I’m on mobile only while on vacation, but if you search my posts, I shared a redacted version of my repair invoice from the dealer. Maybe if you show your dealer that, they’ll lose their attitude. They should take your problem seriously, you’re the customer afterall!

 

[HMC8403]

A day or two after purchase I had a couple of episodes. Both times I was showing my new truck to friends and was stationary for a while with the trans in drive. Then when I stepped on the gas, nothing happened; I remember checking the parking break thinking it might have tripped by opening the door while in drive. The parking break was off and when I hit the gas a little harder, the truck lunged forward as if doing a neutral drop.

 

[RobsRam]

I get the same surge feeling when coming to a stop and easy up on the brake pedal.

 

[HKP7PSP]

Just an update: it has been exactly one week since my truck got a new driveshaft under warranty. That seemed to make the bump/surge go away. It has now returned, though not nearly as harsh as before. I took a 400 mile trip to South Carolina and have been driving around down here all week, maybe 700 miles since the new shaft got put in.

 

[kmck94]

Just an update: it has been exactly one week since my truck got a new driveshaft under warranty. That seemed to make the bump/surge go away. It has now returned, though not nearly as harsh as before. I took a 400 mile trip to South Carolina and have been driving around down here all week, maybe 700 miles since the new shaft got put in.

What are your thoughts now? Do you still think it was the drive shaft if the problem returned?

 

[HKP7PSP]

What are your thoughts now? Do you still think it was the drive shaft if the problem returned?

I honestly do not know what to make of it. It's certainly back, but for the first few days / hundreds of miles, it was back to perfectly smooth and without a bump. It started back gradually, to the point of me thinking it was simply my imagination after dealing with it for so long, but that's not the case now.

Logically, I still want to believe it's the drive shaft since it went away for a few days after the replacement, but at the same time - what is causing the drive shaft to start doing it? I don't think these trucks are as susceptible to axle wrap like those with leaf springs, but you do feel like the rear end of the truck lowers ever so slightly once you let off the brakes / get the bump - what is binding things up? Torque converter staying too locked up when slowing down, then unlocking when you let off the brakes, in anticipation of accelerating? It's not that uncommon for the repair part to be faulty too these days, unfortunately, especially as revised parts probably get put on new vehicles first, and old ones might lay in inventory for a while.

I will bring the truck back to the dealer in a couple of weeks. I have to return to Germany for some unfortunate family business for the next week and a half, so this will be on the back burner until I get back stateside.