Official Driveline Clunk Service Repair

[FULLTHROTTLERICK]

Just bought a 22 with 4k miles and has this issue. Glad to see I’m not the only one.

Whats ur build date?

 

[GottaJett]

Just bought a 22 with 4k miles and has this issue. Glad to see I’m not the only one.

Trust me, after being on this forum since june, I’d say 95% of the trx have this problem. my clunk happened at 800 miles, and if I test drove a used one and this happened I would have never bought it. Now you gotta bring it to the dealer routinely like an oil change to fix the problem. It’s an embarrassing problem to have and very annoying. I love the truck other than that, but it’s a big enough issue for me that if i knew it was a problem (should have looked on here more than just exhaust opinions before I bought my truck) I would have never bought it. You can take apart the driveshaft yourself if you’re into doing monthly maintenance and getting under your truck all the time. “A 5 year old can do it” I’ve been told.

 

[KennyLives]

I got mine used @19k miles, been driving it like I stole it. Noticed it started clunking around 23k had been living with it until this service bulletin came out. Schedule to get it looked at on Thursday. Hope they can get the parts and get it repaired for me cause the klunk is annoying, happens all the time.

 

[Claasicdrive]

I got mine used @19k miles, been driving it like I stole it. Noticed it started clunking around 23k had been living with it until this service bulletin came out. Schedule to get it looked at on Thursday. Hope they can get the parts and get it repaired for me cause the klunk is annoying, happens all the time.

It will happen again and again and again. The TSB is a bandaid not a permanent fix .

 

[KennyLives]

It will happen again and again and again. The TSB is a bandaid not a permanent fix .

Whatcha going to do?? Ill just keep driving it and keep taking it back until they fix it.

 

[RobR651]

Whatcha going to do?? Ill just keep driving it and keep taking it back until they fix it.

They’re not fixing it. This is their “fix” after 18+ months of saying they’re working on a fix. Hopefully the fancy grease is long lasting.

 

[Claasicdrive]

Whatcha going to do?? Ill just keep driving it and keep taking it back until they fix it.

Ford trucks, Caddilacs experience the same clunk ... unless something breaks I won't take it in

 

[FULLTHROTTLERICK]

They’re not fixing it. This is their “fix” after 18+ months of saying they’re working on a fix. Hopefully the fancy grease is long lasting.

i think the permanent fix will be replacing our clunky shafts with w/e Ram puts in the 2023 TRX. I cant imagine they're going to keep reproducing clunky drivelines for the next 1-2 yrs but who really knows. Maybe they're just using a full tube of alien grease in the 2023 models with the same otherwise clunky underlying problem lol

 

[RobR651]

i think the permanent fix will be replacing our clunky shafts with w/e Ram puts in the 2023 TRX. I cant imagine they're going to keep reproducing clunky drivelines for the next 1-2 yrs but who really knows. Maybe they're just using a full tube of alien grease in the 2023 models with the same otherwise clunky underlying problem lol

They knew about the problem since the early 21’s yet kept producing clunky driveshafts. Don’t be surprised if they use the same setup in 23’ …it’s just gonna have fancy grease in it. Oh and a nice digital instrument cluster.

 

[Claasicdrive]

i think the permanent fix will be replacing our clunky shafts with w/e Ram puts in the 2023 TRX. I cant imagine they're going to keep reproducing clunky drivelines for the next 1-2 yrs but who really knows. Maybe they're just using a full tube of alien grease in the 2023 models with the same otherwise clunky underlying problem lol

Is MY23 coming with an upgraded shaft ? I don't think they do. Either way well get confirmation once MY23 ships in about 60 days

 

[FULLTHROTTLERICK]

Is MY23 coming with an upgraded shaft ? I don't think they do. Either way well get confirmation once MY23 ships in about 60 days

I have absolutely no information in support of that but i cant imagine Ram would keep using the same clunky shaft for years but Rob mentioned they have a history of re-using the clunker so looks like 23s may still have it.

 

[RobR651]

I have absolutely no information in support of that but i cant imagine Ram would keep using the same clunky shaft for years but Rob mentioned they have a history of re-using the clunker so looks like 23s may still have it.

There was another Ram tech that posted on the forum a lot back in 21’ …Ram was at first authorizing driveshaft replacements because of the clunk, but quickly got away from that practice because it didn’t solve the issue. They acknowledged that it was widespread via the bulletin and were allegedly working on a new driveshaft design according to the same member. Silence persisted for the better part of 18+ months. This is ultimately the repair they came up with. I guess from a corporate $$$$ side it makes far more sense to have a band aid solution that hopefully takes people beyond the warranty.

 

[FULLTHROTTLERICK]

There was another Ram tech that posted on the forum a lot back in 21’ …Ram was at first authorizing driveshaft replacements because of the clunk, but quickly got away from that practice because it didn’t solve the issue. They acknowledged that it was widespread via the bulletin and were allegedly working on a new driveshaft design according to the same member. Silence persisted for the better part of 18+ months. This is ultimately the repair they came up with. I guess from a corporate $$$$ side it makes far more sense to have a band aid solution that hopefully takes people beyond the warranty.

Playing devils A with you, could it be possible that they simply didnt put enough grease in from the factory for all this time? And that throwing a whole tube of this alien grease is a permanent fix until things naturally degrade/deteriorate? I know it sounds crazy but i've seen similar in the $30-40k side by side world where wheel bearings were nearly dry as a bone off the showroom floor. Obviously time will tell and most of us (me included) are very reluctant to believe this is a permanent solution but just throwing it out there.

 

[RobR651]

Playing devils A with you, could it be possible that they simply didnt put enough grease in from the factory for all this time? And that throwing a whole tube of this alien grease is a permanent fix until things naturally degrade/deteriorate? I know it sounds crazy but i've seen similar in the $30-40k side by side world where wheel bearings were nearly dry as a bone off the showroom floor. Obviously time will tell and most of us (me included) are very reluctant to believe this is a permanent solution but just throwing it out there.

I’ve had mine pulled and lubed by the dealer prior to the official repair announcement. The clunk returned and it’s only been a few thousand miles. It wouldn’t surprise me if that was partially the issue. I know Ford made a fancy grease for their own clunk issues which I suggested folks try on other threads prior to the official grease that Ram announced as the “fix”

 

[FULLTHROTTLERICK]

I’ve had mine pulled and lubed by the dealer prior to the official repair announcement. The clunk returned and it’s only been a few thousand miles. It wouldn’t surprise me if that was partially the issue. I know Ford made a fancy grease for their own clunk issues which I suggested folks try on other threads prior to the official grease that Ram announced as the “fix”

Well that's quite telling and unfortunate. I imagine they didnt use the special alien grease but if decent grease was used (in the proper location) and the clunk returned after a few K, there's our answer on the "permanency" question.

 

[RobR651]

I guess we’ll see with the guys / gals that had the official “repair” done by Ram… time will tell. I’m not very optimistic on this being resolved.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

There was another Ram tech that posted on the forum a lot back in 21’ …Ram was at first authorizing driveshaft replacements because of the clunk, but quickly got away from that practice because it didn’t solve the issue. They acknowledged that it was widespread via the bulletin and were allegedly working on a new driveshaft design according to the same member. Silence persisted for the better part of 18+ months. This is ultimately the repair they came up with. I guess from a corporate $$$$ side it makes far more sense to have a band aid solution that hopefully takes people beyond the warranty.

My extended warranty is good for 7yrs or 75,000 miles. I'll let Ram fix the truck every 10,000 ish miles if need be.

 

[karturk1]

Trust me, after being on this forum since june, I’d say 95% of the trx have this problem. my clunk happened at 800 miles, and if I test drove a used one and this happened I would have never bought it. Now you gotta bring it to the dealer routinely like an oil change to fix the problem. It’s an embarrassing problem to have and very annoying. I love the truck other than that, but it’s a big enough issue for me that if i knew it was a problem (should have looked on here more than just exhaust opinions before I bought my truck) I would have never bought it. You can take apart the driveshaft yourself if you’re into doing monthly maintenance and getting under your truck all the time. “A 5 year old can do it” I’ve been told.

My truck is at 2200 miles and I am gettin the rear clunk now. I am calling my dealer tomorrow.

 

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I just posted this on another thread:
https://www.ram-trx.com/threads/mopar-driveshaft-clunk-repair.12866/page-7

My dealer referred to Ram’s fix for the clunk as “Voodoo Magic” and “Snake Oil.“ Instead they ordered a new rear drive shaft and installed it today along with another fix while the truck was in the shop. Below is a copy of the work order.

 

[HighHP]

Yours was replaced due to the "large amount of play/wear". Others are tight with binding, no need to replace.