Dreaded clunk/pop

[gofishn]

For those who have AD Blockers and cannot see the page, in Question:


Lower Center Instrument Panel Bracket Fasteners Loose - 2015 Ram 1500 Pickup oemdtc July 11, 2017 Repair Tips

NUMBER: 23-001-15 GROUP: Body DATE: January 09, 2015

THIS SERVICE BULLETIN IS ALSO BEING RELEASED AS RAPID RESPONSE TRANSMITTAL (RRT) 15-002. ALL APPLICABLE SOLD AND UN-SOLD RRT VIN's HAVE BEEN LOADED. TO VERIFY THAT THIS RRT SERVICE ACTION IS APPLICABLE TO THE VEHICLE, USE VIP OR PERFORM A VIN SEARCH IN TECHCONNECT. ALL REPAIRS ARE REIMBURSABLE WITHIN THE PROVISIONS OF WARRANTY.

SUBJECT:

Lower Center Instrument Panel Bracket Fasteners Loose

OVERVIEW:

This bulletin involves tightening the lower instrument panel bracket fasteners to the proper torque specification.

MODELS:
2015 (DS) Ram 1500 Pickup

NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or after November 15, 2014 (MDH 1115XX) and on or before November 18, 2014 (MDH 1118XX).

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:

The lower center instrument panel fasteners were left loose during vehicle assembly. This condition may result in a buzz, squeak, or rattle noise coming from the lower center instrument panel area.

DIAGNOSIS:

If a customer’s VIN is listed in VIP or your RRT VIN list, perform the repair. For all other customers that describe the symptom/condition, perform the Repair Procedure.

REPAIR PROCEDURE:

Remove the lower center instrument panel close out trim covers. Vehicles equipped with center console, remove both the left and right side trim covers (1) left side shown right side similar or vehicles equipped without center console, remove the single close out cover (2) (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 Lower Center Instrument Panel Close Out Trim CoversFig. 1 Lower Center Instrument Panel Close Out Trim Covers

1 - Trim Cover - With Center Console
2 - Close Out Cover - Without Center Console

Tighten both the left side (1) and right side (2) lower instrument panel bracket fasteners to 12 N·m (9 Ft Lbs) (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 Lower Center Instrument Panel FastenersFig. 2 Lower Center Instrument Panel Fasteners

1 - Fastener Left Side
2 - Fastener Right Side

Install the lower center instrument panel close out trim covers (Fig. 1).

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

Check the hood adjustments. Screw them out 2-3 turns on both sides. I had the exact same problem; a clunk pop at lower speeds especially noticeable in less than perfectly flat terrain and most noticeable turning into my driveway. Mine also sounded like it was coming from the passenger side floorboard area. I adjusted both hood bumpers out several turns and replaced the teflon tape where the hood makes contact. I know it sounds ridiculous but its worth a shot and its easy to do.

THIS RIGHT HERE! Frig’n fixed my front end clunk today!

Swore it was something in the suspension but it was all good.

I’ll echo the “sounds ridiculous” but I’ll be damn’d If that wasn’t my issue too.


As a note, there are 5 contact points:
-The hood latch
-2 adjustable “screws” on the core support
-2 square looking thing right above the headlights.

 

[tidefan1967]

THIS RIGHT HERE! Frig’n fixed my front end clunk today!

Swore it was something in the suspension but it was all good.

I’ll echo the “sounds ridiculous” but I’ll be damn’d If that wasn’t my issue too.


As a note, there are 5 contact points:
-The hood latch
-2 adjustable “screws” on the core support
-2 square looking thing right above the headlights.

I'm glad to hear that it helped. Did you replace the teflon tape too? I used duct tape originally until I got some teflon tape off of eBay but more than likely the duct tape would have been fine. I was just so thrilled that it was an easy and cheap fix! I've suggested this option many times in various pop/clunk threads and you're the first person to actually say anything about it. I bet this is the fix for most of these problems!

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

I'm glad to hear that it helped. Did you replace the teflon tape too? I used duct tape originally until I got some teflon tape off of eBay but more than likely the duct tape would have been fine. I was just so thrilled that it was an easy and cheap fix! I've suggested this option many times in various pop/clunk threads and you're the first person to actually say anything about it. I bet this is the fix for most of these problems!

I didn’t replace any tape yet, the original is still there, just moved a little.

Bad thing is awhile back I was messing with the adjustment screws on the core because I’ve got a noticeable (to me anyway) difference in the hoodline gaps. I thought I had put them back to the original spots but I was wrong. I changed the oil the other day and noticed the passenger side of the hood had a little movement so started fiddling again and what do ya know!? Hood was snugged back up and my “mystery” suspension clunk disappeared!

And for the recorded, it’s not like the hood was moving a lot, it would move a bit at 80 mph or if I grabbed the edge and lifted up with some effort.