I’m new

[Joseph Dettmer]

Hey everyone, I’m new to the forum. I’m happy to be here. I am also new to the ram truck world. Have a quick question. 2 weeks ago I bought a 2018 ram 2500 with 6.7l Cummins.it is a megacab.it is a new truck only had 27 miles on it. So after first 3-4 days I started to notice a clunking sound from the rear of the truck. Took it back to dealer to have checked. They said fluid was a quart low from factory and they reprogrammed trans and told me to give it a little time to break in, it’s adaptive learning. From issues in the past with another brand I’ve experienced u joints and rear diff issues associated with this clunking sound. I must say the truck had quite a few miles on it at this point. I must say after the dealer did it’s thing it has gotten much better but the sound is still there. I know it’s a new truck and things need to break in but wanted to get your thoughts on this. I’ve been under the truck and all seems ok and even dealer said all was tight. Is this a normal break in phase for me?

 

[grizzstang]

Welcome! Clunking is odd for sure but I don't know too much about the 3/4 tons. To me if it is improved after the dealer did its thing I would do what they say and put some miles on it. I am sure some HD guys will chime in soon or maybe you would be better off if a mod moved this thread to the HD forum where most of them hang out.

 

[Joseph Dettmer]

Thanks Grizzstang! I’ll check out the hd forum. I thought my post would just be a general post and not go into a specific forum.

 

[MADDOG]

Welcome to RamForum.

My 2007 2500 had a clunk. My 2014 2500 had a clunk. My 2017 2500 has a clunk. I think it's due to the mass and momentum of the driveline and the fact that the u-joints need a bit of slop in them so as not to totally shatter when the driveline is turning and flexing.

It is kind of unsettling but I didn't have any driveline related failures with any of the trucks.

 

[MooseKitchen]

Welcome! I'm pretty new too, but these guys seem to be pretty straight forward. I wish I knew more about the 3/4 ton trucks to help you out.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Burla]

Just because a truck is new doesn't mean the suspension is tight. Easier to get around if you have some ramps, but get down there are make sure every bolt is tight on everything. If it is in the rear, try control arms. Simple fix and likely a chance. I haven't seen the cross member in a 2500, but if it happens a lot with turns that is another suspect. Shock mounts as well. Literally tighten every bolt down there over a beer some lazy Saturday or something. Nail down when it happens slowing, speeding turning, from start etc.

It's more common with new vehicles then old ones. You need to let things settle and torque them again, especially if there is an issue. The dealer didn't mention that might be it? They torque ever bolt to spec, but there is no way to duplicate real world driving and what that does to bolts. It like when you get a lift, they always say come back and torque everything at 500 miles. But they don't do that with new equipment, but the same conditions exist that provides the need to re torque bolts like from a lift.


If you find something like the control arms, and the bolt is even a little loose. Take it to the dealer and ask them to torque it down. If you have a wrench to hold tight and a socket, you will need some large sizes, those bolts should not move easily at all. Especially those ones with bushings in between like shocks or control arms, when those are loose, they will always clunk. You don't need to try hard to see it loosen, just apply simple pressure and see if it's loose. Don't force it, you aren't trying to tighten anything, just checking what is loose, there is a difference.

If no bolts are loose, then you know there aint anything you can do about it without doing some suspension upgrades.

 

[RLJ10X]

I had a couple of Dakotas before getting my "big" truck. Both of those little guys clunked when shifted from park to reverse, or when changing directions. They clunked the whole time I owned them . Didn't seem to hurt anything. I thought that was just a Dodge. I don't think the big truck is as noticeable.