front end clunk/click

14hemiexpress · Aug 17, 2016

I have been l getting this clunking clicking clicking nosie its a real quick like rocking clunk. Its solid metal on metal under braking or over ruff bumps. It's defiantly caused by a rocking motion because I can get it if I trow it in reverse and step on it. So that being said I suspect it's coming from the control arm bushing, ball joints or sway bar endlinks. I have searched and couldn't find much but does there seem to be a common failure point under the front of the 2wd 4th gen to get me a good starting point for inspecting the front end?

EagleChief · Aug 18, 2016

Is your truck lifted or leveled with spacers? The cheaper leveling kids have caused ball joint issues before.

Paluby · Aug 18, 2016

EagleChief said:
Is your truck lifted or leveled with spacers? The cheaper leveling kids have caused ball joint issues before.

This.

14hemiexpress · Aug 18, 2016

Nope all stock as far as I know. I don't see any spacers or anything odd.

RamDude81 · Aug 18, 2016

Welcome to my world. I've been to the dealer several times about this issue. Even if they can't diagnose/repair the issue now at least get it on record that you knew of an issue before it becomes serious. I've heard guys having their entire steering rack and steering wheel linkage replaced several times trying to fix this issue.

lukedukem · Aug 18, 2016

RamDude81 said:
Welcome to my world. I've been to the dealer several times about this issue. Even if they can't diagnose/repair the issue now at least get it on record that you knew of an issue before it becomes serious. I've heard guys having their entire steering rack and steering wheel linkage replaced several times trying to fix this issue.

Don't think that's an option for him, i believe his truck is a 2010 and no more warranty. trying to diagnose and fix himself

can you narrow it down to a certain side. i guess there's no way to get a sound clip of it happening. how many miles are on the truck?
if it is happening under braking , then might look at that. my sister had a noise coming from the rear of her van. a type of clicking noise when braking and going over bumps. turns out one of her caliper bolts where missing, it had backed out and the caliper was shifting forward, causing the noise (her husband had recently done a brake job and didn't tighten them all the way) . might look at that. car still stopped fine.

Luke

14hemiexpress · Aug 18, 2016

I'll go over quick list of parts I have replace. And I double checked my work and rechecked after I herd to sound. And I don't believe the sound started after I worked on it but I just never herd it because ibhavent had it very long. Anyways, I replaced all shocks all the way around, replaced the steering rack and tierod ends, brake rotors and pads I used lock tight on the caliper brackets and basically everything else that got torqued. I feel confident in my mechanical abilities to safely rule any of that out. Truck has 153k miles on it? I'm more wondering if there is anything common to look at first. Thanks for the reponses!

lukedukem · Aug 18, 2016

14hemiexpress said:
I'll go over quick list of parts I have replace. And I double checked my work and rechecked after I herd to sound. And I don't believe the sound started after I worked on it but I just never herd it because ibhavent had it very long. Anyways, I replaced all shocks all the way around, replaced the steering rack and tierod ends, brake rotors and pads I used lock tight on the caliper brackets and basically everything else that got torqued. I feel confident in my mechanical abilities to safely rule any of that out. Truck has 153k miles on it? I'm more wondering if there is anything common to look at first. Thanks for the reponses!

OK, that eliminates a lot of possibilities. i think you might be right on the bushings. if it does it by rocking back and forth. not sure sway bar end links would cause it. wondering if you can have someone drive it while your on the outside, maybe just a few feet then hit the brakes with wheel cocked so you can see the suspension and steering components, long shot. other than that maybe remove the tire and start inspecting bushings.

Luke

Rustycowl69 · Aug 18, 2016

14hemiexpress said:
I have been l getting this clunking clicking clicking nosie its a real quick like rocking clunk. Its solid metal on metal under braking or over ruff bumps. It's defiantly caused by a rocking motion because I can get it if I trow it in reverse and step on it. So that being said I suspect it's coming from the control arm bushing, ball joints or sway bar endlinks. I have searched and couldn't find much but does there seem to be a common failure point under the front of the 2wd 4th gen to get me a good starting point for inspecting the front end?

ok, let me get this straight: it's a 2010, with a 147k miles. It's new to you, so you don't know how the truck has been treated, or serviced, and you're looking for a "common failure point." I'm not sure what you're getting at, but it kinda sounds like you're complaining.
Ignoring that, why don't you take it to a reputable alignment shop. The one I go to, assesses the condition of the components, shows you the problems, gives you an estimate of what they would charge, parts and labor, and lets you decide how to proceed, before they can align. Maybe you'll want to fix it yourself, maybe you want to buy the parts and have them install, or maybe you elect to just have them do the whole job. Most shops don't want to have to redo their work for free, so it's in everybody's best interest to do it right the first time.

14hemiexpress · Aug 18, 2016

Rustycowl69 said:
ok, let me get this straight: it's a 2010, with a 147k miles. It's new to you, so you don't know how the truck has been treated, or serviced, and you're looking for a "common failure point." I'm not sure what you're getting at, but it kinda sounds like you're complaining.
Ignoring that, why don't you take it to a reputable alignment shop. The one I go to, assesses the condition of the components, shows you the problems, gives you an estimate of what they would charge, parts and labor, and lets you decide how to proceed, before they can align. Maybe you'll want to fix it yourself, maybe you want to buy the parts and have them install, or maybe you elect to just have them do the whole job. Most shops don't want to have to redo their work for free, so it's in everybody's best interest to do it right the first time.

Last thing I'm doing is complaining. I bought a truck with 147k on it I have driven it 6k miles already it's still new to me and haven't figured out and identified all the problems yet. Inexspect to have problems with a 6 year old truck and 150k miles. I'm asking for if anyone know yeah rams usually have controll arm bushing go out or ball joints normally are issues giving me a good starting point to get me in the right direction. I'm not the one to just run off and take my truck to the shop unless I need the shop. I have built engines, built race cars, Remove and Replace just about everything in a vehicle at some point and time. I know I Can handle the work just wanted some guidence so that i don't go in blind.

Jaxyaks · Aug 18, 2016

There is known clunking issue with the front end that I don't think anyone ever found the exact defect/problem. Yours may be one of those that has it. If so it has probably been doing it since almost new.

uprider · Aug 18, 2016

I've had my 14 Ram in 2 times now for this issue. I hear a light clunk or pop in the front end when doing slow turns or when turning over bumps in the road. Dealer checked everything out and can't find anything wrong. What is weird is I notice when getting out of the vehicle I can get a similar noise coming from the floor area by my feet. Also if I'm parked and turn the steering wheel and pull down on it slightly I get the noise as well. I'm wondering if it's something to do with the way the cab is mounted. Seems like flexing metal. My truck only has 25,000 miles on it and has been doing it for the last 10,000 miles. It bugs the s..T out of me.

Rustycowl69 · Aug 18, 2016

awhile back, somebody was complaining about a popping noise on braking and such. There was a thread on it. I think he found it was the body mount. I can't remember if he fixed it by tightening the bolts or replacing the bushings. Since OP has 2wd, I'd look toward whatever controls forward/aft movement. If it were an old Mope, I'd look at the strut rod bushings, but don't know how the newer trucks control that movement. I like the suggestion, somebody gave about having somebody else work the steering wheel, gear shift and brakes while you stand outside and watch wheel movement and listen for the offending noise.

RamCares · Aug 18, 2016

uprider said:
I've had my 14 Ram in 2 times now for this issue. I hear a light clunk or pop in the front end when doing slow turns or when turning over bumps in the road. Dealer checked everything out and can't find anything wrong. What is weird is I notice when getting out of the vehicle I can get a similar noise coming from the floor area by my feet. Also if I'm parked and turn the steering wheel and pull down on it slightly I get the noise as well. I'm wondering if it's something to do with the way the cab is mounted. Seems like flexing metal. My truck only has 25,000 miles on it and has been doing it for the last 10,000 miles. It bugs the s..T out of me.

Has the dealership been able to actually duplicate the sound, and can't find an issue--or are the unable to replicate it all together?

Kori
Ram Social Care Specialist

uprider · Aug 18, 2016

ramcares said:
Has the dealership been able to actually duplicate the sound, and can't find an issue--or are the unable to replicate it all together?

Kori
Ram Social Care Specialist

The first time I had it in the dealer heard the noise but checked the entire front end out and no issues. Next time they put the head tech on it and they found nothing. I was thinking of trying another dealer to look at it.

R.L.K. · Aug 19, 2016

Maybe try tightening the trucks cab body mounts , pretty easy to do and would eliminate a possible cause ... for the process of eliminating the possibilities of this clunk / clicking sound .

savage_46 · Aug 19, 2016

Have someone vigorously rock the vehicle side to side. Pushing on the top of a door or grabbing the top of the bedside works best without tiring out to fast. With it rocking, crawl underneath & put your hand on every bit of suspension. Also have your help wiggle the steering wheel & look for movement in the tie rods. Steer lock to lock & look at the ball joints. Jack up the front tires by the lower control arms & pry up between the tire and ground. And then grab the top and bottom of the tire wiggle in & out. Some movement in the bushings is normal, but any obvious movement would be a good place to start. And try not to get hands caught or pinched.

uprider · Aug 19, 2016

savage_46 said:
Have someone vigorously rock the vehicle side to side. Pushing on the top of a door or grabbing the top of the bedside works best without tiring out to fast. With it rocking, crawl underneath & put your hand on every bit of suspension. Also have your help wiggle the steering wheel & look for movement in the tie rods. Steer lock to lock & look at the ball joints. Jack up the front tires by the lower control arms & pry up between the tire and ground. And then grab the top and bottom of the tire wiggle in & out. Some movement in the bushings is normal, but any obvious movement would be a good place to start. And try not to get hands caught or pinched.

I will give it a try this weekend and see what I can find.

RamCares · Aug 19, 2016

uprider said:
The first time I had it in the dealer heard the noise but checked the entire front end out and no issues. Next time they put the head tech on it and they found nothing. I was thinking of trying another dealer to look at it.

If you did want to get a second opinion and need any assistance, don't hesitate to send me a PM!

Kori
Ram Social Care Specialist

14hemiexpress · Aug 19, 2016

So here a update my weekend got busy and I decided to just let my local shop take a peak at it. What they found was my front driver brake pad is loose. They said everything else in the front end looked good. All the ball joints and bushings were good. She said it looks like someone had resently done brakes and used cheep pads. I told her I Did the brakes and used Wagner thermo quiet pads. They said we haven't had very good luck with them lately and recomended a different pad. She said sense you can do them your self well button back up and it'll be $50 for looking at it didn't try to sell me on them fixing it. They said they have had good luck with the nappa brand pads so I wills try that.

front end clunk/click

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