New 2500 Tradesman with clunk/rattle

[Tim G 2019]

Checked back in on this thread again this evening and I'm following it now. I'm almost as anxious as you to see this issue come to a conclusion, as well as the fix required. Unbelievable, but at least the tech is taking the matter personally.

Lee

Thanks Lee! it's become a mission for me at this point. I love everything else about the truck- this is the only issue. The techs have been great and do seem ready to do whatever they have to. After a rocky start, it seems the dealer service department has gotten on board. I'll keep posting what happens. Hopefully I can post a good solution or fix in case anyone else is having this issue. Great to have help and support from this forum. Glad I joined!

 

[Tim G 2019]

I assume the spare tire has been checked for tightness?

Yes it has. Checked the heat shield there too because someone posted about that. They have to be running out of things to check and tighten pretty soon!

 

[RamCares]

Well, the new cab mounts finally came in yesterday after 10 days (in fairness, labor day weekend was in there) and I took my truck in today to have them installed. I waited while they did the work and test drove it. The service writer came in and told me the noise is still present and they have another call in to the engineers. New cab mounts didn't fix the problem.

Back to square one. So whatever parts the new "fix" requires will take one or more weeks to get here and I'll have to take it in again. That means taking time off work, etc. Had the truck for two months now and it's never been right. Kind of diminishes the whole ownership experience of getting a new truck. The service department seems to be trying and the tech spoke with me and it feels like he is upset that he hasn't got it right yet. I appreciate him taking it personally like that - gives me hope. On to the next step - still no fix.

Hi Tim G 2019,
We are sorry to hear what you have been experiencing. If you are interested, please private message us and we can document your this information and connect you with Case Specialist that will assist you when working alongside your dealer.
Laura
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[JD Mark]

He said the engineers had suggested a computer flash or the "noise reduction module" they should try that may correct the problem.

This is giving me bad flashbacks to my '05 F350 KR. There was a TSB out about the carrier bearing shims being installed upside down, so when there was a trailer attached or load in the truck, it felt like the transmission was going to fall off the truck. Brought it back to the dealer WITH the TSB, idiots flashed it and said it should be set.

You guessed it...it wasn't. Brought it to another dealer, they put the shims in correctly and away I went.

The service people told me the TSB on that problem was for trucks that were built prior to my build date and the TSB didn't cover trucks built when mine was.

More flashbacks...also had an '04 F550 that had the weak snap ring in the tranny that would cause it to grenade and blow a hole in the case. Mine didn't fall within that date range, but dangitall it sure did the same thing the others did. Stupid people that believe anything and everything they're told.

Good luck with it...maybe it's time to start threatening lemon law on this thing. I'd be getting kinda upset at this point.

 

[superjoe83]

Did they check the rear wheel bearing preload/endplay? A loose wheel bearing could make that noise

 

[Tim G 2019]

Hi Tim G 2019,
We are sorry to hear what you have been experiencing. If you are interested, please private message us and we can document your this information and connect you with Case Specialist that will assist you when working alongside your dealer.
Laura
Ram Social Care Specialist

Hi Laura,

As you may notice from the thread, I'm already working with a case manager (Susan) and with star engineers. It's been a lengthy trial and error process and every time the dealership orders parts, it takes 7-10 days to get them in so they can try the next fix. It doesn't feel like there is much urgency. Lots of platitudes and nice emails, but no action. Thanks for noticing my thread. Im hoping they find what is wrong soon. Im exploring options, since I've had it in five times and have made the first two payments and it's still not fixed.

 

[Tim G 2019]

Did they check the rear wheel bearing preload/endplay? A loose wheel bearing could make that noise

I dont think that has been checked. I'll add it to my list, thanks

 

[lharrell79]

A bad shock can also make that, reverberating noise.

 

[Tim G 2019]

A bad shock can also make that, reverberating noise.

That's what I initially thought it was. It sounded suspension related to me, but they claim to have checked all that. That's what they did before getting on to the cab mount idea. After 10 days of waiting, the new cab mounts came in. I took it in and they changed them all. Still have the same noise and they verified it with the electronic ear thing they have.

Now the star engineering guys told them they want them to "reposition the cab mounts". I'm not sure what that means. Doesn't seem like there would be more than one right way to install them, but that's what they said so I'll play along. Taking it back to the shop this Tuesday so I'll post the results after they try that.

 

[Musky Mike]

They checked the spare tire for tightness, but did they drop down the spare tire and make sure a tool from factory isn't sitting in the rim dish bouncing around?

 

[Derek Powers]

I have the same clunking problem on my 16. Checked everything, replaced shockels and still does it. Drives me nuts but I love the truck so I deal with it. Hope your problem gives me some new direction to look.

 

[Fitz-0518]

Tim G, just wanted to share a thought or it may be just a POV. I went through the FCA, dealer dance, defective truck for a year. FCA offered to repurchase or replace my 2018 2500 6.4. I took an exact replacement. Just wanted you to be aware. It sounds like you have a dealer that is trying to resolve and demanding that technical assistance help. I have a suspicion that they know they had a bad run of x number of trucks with this condition. Sure sounds like an assembly issue. Also, will the dealer give you a like vehicle to drive while they are repairing. If there is a safety issue, RamCare can make that happen. I found RamCare to be effective and helpful on my lemon. Sure hope you get this resolved properly. Fitz

 

[Tim G 2019]

They checked the spare tire for tightness, but did they drop down the spare tire and make sure a tool from factory isn't sitting in the rim dish bouncing around?

I will sure have them check that! Never occurred to me it could be something that simple, but stranger things have happened. Thanks!

 

[Tim G 2019]

I have the same clunking problem on my 16. Checked everything, replaced shockels and still does it. Drives me nuts but I love the truck so I deal with it. Hope your problem gives me some new direction to look.

I will keep posting and will share the final outcome. Thanks!

 

[Tim G 2019]

Tim G, just wanted to share a thought or it may be just a POV. I went through the FCA, dealer dance, defective truck for a year. FCA offered to repurchase or replace my 2018 2500 6.4. I took an exact replacement. Just wanted you to be aware. It sounds like you have a dealer that is trying to resolve and demanding that technical assistance help. I have a suspicion that they know they had a bad run of x number of trucks with this condition. Sure sounds like an assembly issue. Also, will the dealer give you a like vehicle to drive while they are repairing. If there is a safety issue, RamCare can make that happen. I found RamCare to be effective and helpful on my lemon. Sure hope you get this resolved properly. Fitz

Thanks! I have that same suspicion. I know they said the reason they replaced the cab mounts was due to a bad batch from the factory. Would make sense if there was an issue confined to a certain run of trucks and not a global issue with all the 2500's. I'm not going away, so we will get to the end of this some way. I would gladly trade this truck for an identical one rather than lose my sanity or be angry every time I hit a rough patch of road! It's weird, but saying that out loud makes me feel like a traitor to my truck lol

 

[RamCares]

Hi Laura,

As you may notice from the thread, I'm already working with a case manager (Susan) and with star engineers. It's been a lengthy trial and error process and every time the dealership orders parts, it takes 7-10 days to get them in so they can try the next fix. It doesn't feel like there is much urgency. Lots of platitudes and nice emails, but no action. Thanks for noticing my thread. Im hoping they find what is wrong soon. Im exploring options, since I've had it in five times and have made the first two payments and it's still not fixed.

Tim G 2019,
Thank you for your update. If you ever have additional questions in the future, feel free to send us a private message!
Laura
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Motoman501]

Am I crazy to think it is something in the trucks design? It seems to be a somewhat common problem and as I noted previously, my 2015 had the issue and within days of buying my 2019 I noticed that it had it also.

It's frustrating when the dealers don't seem to be able to figure out what is going on with issues that involve a lot of vehicles. My truck also has the squeal at start up that a lot of other 6.4's appear to have and it seems like most dealers report it is normal. At least it sounds like your dealer is trying which is better than most. Hopefully it gets resolved and then I can point my dealer in the right direction as other than these issues I love the truck.

 

[Tim G 2019]

Well, took my truck back in today so they could reposition the cab mounts. They did that. Service department called and told me they still have the noise. Another call in to star engineers and back to the waiting game. We'll see what the next idea is.

 

[Derek Powers]

Good grief. Wouldn't it be cheaper for them to just give you a new truck and use that one for R&D? Lol

 

[Tim G 2019]

Good grief. Wouldn't it be cheaper for them to just give you a new truck and use that one for R&D? Lol

Seems like it. Or could have flown an engineer out here or drove the truck to them by now. Don't know what's next, but one way or another, this is going to get right! If you add all the time I've missed from work and the missed use of the truck to accomplish the whole reason i bought the truck (towing my stuff), I know it's been costly to me as well. Missed a month of prime summer boating season!