Clunking when braking hard

[chrisbh17]

10K miles on my '17 Big Horn and noticed this issue today (when someone cut me off):

Under moderate to hard braking, I get a clunk that you can kinda hear and can definitely feel in the floorboard. Like its coming from the center of the truck under the armrest.

Once you feel the clunk during braking, when you accelerate again it "re clunks" like whatever moved is now resetting.

I have removed everything I can find from the truck (no golf or lacrosse balls rolling around!). I have not removed the spare tire, but it is definitely tight...does not budge when I push on it. Also removed the jack under the passenger seat just to be sure.

Any suggestions? I will be contacting my dealer but figured Id ask the braintrust while I wait for an appointment.

Thanks.

-Chris

 

[Lifted2wd]

Have you checked the front calipers?

 

[FriedDumpling]

10K miles on my '17 Big Horn and noticed this issue today (when someone cut me off):

Under moderate to hard braking, I get a clunk that you can kinda hear and can definitely feel in the floorboard. Like its coming from the center of the truck under the armrest.

Once you feel the clunk during braking, when you accelerate again it "re clunks" like whatever moved is now resetting.

I have removed everything I can find from the truck (no golf or lacrosse balls rolling around!). I have not removed the spare tire, but it is definitely tight...does not budge when I push on it. Also removed the jack under the passenger seat just to be sure.

Any suggestions? I will be contacting my dealer but figured Id ask the braintrust while I wait for an appointment.

Thanks.

-Chris

This is fairly normal, sorry to say. You’ll find a number of posts about similar “clunking” experiences. It doesn’t have to be abrupt as your example, sometimes decelerating too quickly and braking you’ll have a similar experience and feel it under brake pedal.

The dealer will suggest to update the trans into a learning mode, or service the valve body - neither of which solved the issue in a permanent way.

Now I just have tried to change the way I drive because of the annoyance, largely coasting to a stop and braking “softer”.

I described the experience it as a water bottle being dropped behind me, or a “tap” on the back bumper.

I think what you’re feeling is the 2 to 1 downshift and 1-2 upshift.

It sucks foe sure, but I am told that not really harmful to the vehicle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chrisbh17]

I yanked on all 4 calipers and nothing budged.

As far as the 2-1 downshift, Im familiar with that clunk/feeling (at least a low speeds). This is from a higher starting speed and with much more force on the pedal and feels different....I have not checked to see if it only happens during 2-1, in which case maybe it is "normal". i dont want the dealer touching the transmission learning stuff, I feel like that will just make everything worse.

I got under the rear of the truck and couldnt move anything, but obviously Im not the force of a 4000+ lb truck slowing down Will keep looking I guess.

 

[Elevated 2013]

I don't think this will be it, but i'll mention it as i've seen it happen before (usually on higher mileage vehicles) have you checked your shocks/struts/upper shock mounts to make sure they're tight/still intact? Ive seen/heard/replaced upper shock/strut mounts for making a similar noise/feel before. You might also notice a popping or clunking noise over certain kinds of bumps. Not all bumps. Like I said, I don't expect it to be this but it is a possibility as you're transferring all the weight of the truck to the front when braking and that's where a lot of the weight ends up. I know it's not in the middle of the truck. Do you hear any clunking when you shift from Park to any gear or drive to reverse or vice versa? If so, it could be a trans or engine mount as well. Just a couple of thoughts. It would be odd with only 10K on it, but i've seen stranger things!

 

[Quick_Shifter]

Check your body mounts, there is a lot of play in them from the factory so if one gets loose it allows a lot of movement

 

[RamCares]

10K miles on my '17 Big Horn and noticed this issue today (when someone cut me off):

Under moderate to hard braking, I get a clunk that you can kinda hear and can definitely feel in the floorboard. Like its coming from the center of the truck under the armrest.

Once you feel the clunk during braking, when you accelerate again it "re clunks" like whatever moved is now resetting.

I have removed everything I can find from the truck (no golf or lacrosse balls rolling around!). I have not removed the spare tire, but it is definitely tight...does not budge when I push on it. Also removed the jack under the passenger seat just to be sure.

Any suggestions? I will be contacting my dealer but figured Id ask the braintrust while I wait for an appointment.

Thanks.

-Chris

Hi Chris,

We understand your desire to reach a solution for this clunk. Keep us updated on your dealer appointment. If an additional layer of assistance is needed while there, let us know. We're available via direct message and would be glad to help.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[tidefan1967]

I know this is going to sound stupid but I also had a similar clunk when turning or going over bumps that sounded like it was coming from somewhere in the cab or right underneath the floorboards where the cab mounts are. In my case it turned out to be the hood making the noise. I adjusted out the hood bumpers some (I would start out with at least one full turn) and replaced all the tape that contacts the four bumpers with fresh teflon tape. For a temporary option I used duct tape and it worked fine. Try it you never know.