Results of Software Update for Transmission/Driveshaft Clunk

[wac45]

Well…..I’ve driven it bit more since then, and I can report, the clunk is back….. also, the tech who wrote the report that all my haters seemed to accept as gospel…. Didn’t plug my amp steps, and my dash cam back into the port when he finished up…… The steps, I figured out as soon as I opened the door, so I had him plug it in (I installed a port splitter, and stuffed it way up under the dash, and didn’t feel like digging around for it at the dealership)The dash cam, I didn’t notice till 5 miles down the road, when I hit a big dip in the road, and my incident chime didn’t register…. But yeah, this is the guy that has everyone thinking my lights weren’t working… because I simply never turned them on.
At the end of the day, the guy did a useless update, plugged in a few harnesses, and forgot to plug in a few, that were secured when I brought it in.

Disappointed to hear the software update didn't fix the clunk. I am taking mine into the dealer next week so they can check to see if mine needs that update since the driveshaft lube solution seemed to only partially solve the clunk problem.

 

[Austinmtlhd]

The parts kit finally came in. I'm going to have the computer firmware flashed with the latest updates and the kit installed at the same time.

Does anyone know what the latest version of firmware is that addresses the clunking sound?

TIA

 

[wac45]

The parts kit finally came in. I'm going to have the computer firmware flashed with the latest updates and the kit installed at the same time.

Does anyone know what the latest version of firmware is that addresses the clunking sound?

TIA

This was posted by @Informal in another thread. It shows the software numbers. Mine goes in the end of the week to have them check the software. Mine had the lube done already and the clunk has partially come back so hoping this will fix it.

 

[wac45]

Update from my last dealer visit regarding the small bump/lurch I feel in what seems to be the drieline. This occurs after a full stop and is most noticeable if you let off slightly on the brake and start rolling forward slowly.

The dealer had previously done the lube kit repair which alleviated the original harder clunk when starting or stopping. After just a few hundred miles I then started noticing the more subtle bump/lurch feel when slowly letting off brake from a stop. The dealer then did the software updates mentioned earlier in this thread but did not rectify the issue. They had 2 different techs drive it and they said they could feel what I was talking about but that it was "normal ". Normal because it is all wheel drive and it is transferring load to the front after stopping. Well it wasn't doing this before and it does this in regular mode or sport mode. He also said this is common with the Trackhawks as well.

I did talk to another TRX owner that I know that says his also does this. So if this truly is a characteristic of these trucks I can live with it but I am not convinced. When I had my Raptor and would occasionally use awd mode it did not do this although I understand that has a different set up.

I love this truck in every aspect and this is really the only thing that nags at me a bit. If this is truly the nature of the beast then no big deal.

Just wondering what others think of this that have more mechanical and hands on experience with this. Also if many others have noticed this on their truck. Maybe I am over analyzing?

 

[Kratos]

Update from my last dealer visit regarding the small bump/lurch I feel in what seems to be the drieline. This occurs after a full stop and is most noticeable if you let off slightly on the brake and start rolling forward slowly.

The dealer had previously done the lube kit repair which alleviated the original harder clunk when starting or stopping. After just a few hundred miles I then started noticing the more subtle bump/lurch feel when slowly letting off brake from a stop. The dealer then did the software updates mentioned earlier in this thread but did not rectify the issue. They had 2 different techs drive it and they said they could feel what I was talking about but that it was "normal ". Normal because it is all wheel drive and it is transferring load to the front after stopping. Well it wasn't doing this before and it does this in regular mode or sport mode. He also said this is common with the Trackhawks as well.

I did talk to another TRX owner that I know that says his also does this. So if this truly is a characteristic of these trucks I can live with it but I am not convinced. When I had my Raptor and would occasionally use awd mode it did not do this although I understand that has a different set up.

I love this truck in every aspect and this is really the only thing that nags at me a bit. If this is truly the nature of the beast then no big deal.

Just wondering what others think of this that have more mechanical and hands on experience with this. Also if many others have noticed this on their truck. Maybe I am over analyzing?

I have around 1800 miles on my truck that I got in October of this year. I knew about this issue before I even had the truck so from day 1 I was looking to see if I can recreate it. My experience so far is that overtime the sensation of the bump/lurch has increased. The first 500-1000 miles It was not noticeable in a meaningful way. From 1000-1800 it has gradually become more noticeable. I do feel this sensation more on sport mode although it does still occur on auto. If this is how it's designed than I am okay with it. I've read about others that tried the special lube procedure that RAM recommends only to end up with the same situation eventually.

My guess is that's the nature of the beast. If the 2023 models don't have this issue than we will know for sure something is wrong with our trucks.

 

[wac45]

I have around 1800 miles on my truck that I got in October of this year. I knew about this issue before I even had the truck so from day 1 I was looking to see if I can recreate it. My experience so far is that overtime the sensation of the bump/lurch has increased. The first 500-1000 miles It was not noticeable in a meaningful way. From 1000-1800 it has gradually become more noticeable. I do feel this sensation more on sport mode although it does still occur on auto. If this is how it's designed than I am okay with it. I've read about others that tried the special lube procedure that RAM recommends only to end up with the same situation eventually.

My guess is that's the nature of the beast. If the 2023 models don't have this issue than we will know for sure something is wrong with our trucks.

Yes, that is pretty much the same experience I had. You are probably right.

 

[wac45]

My dealership did the update and it did nothing. They then said it was normal for this car.

I'm getting the same story now.

 

[RamCares]

Update from my last dealer visit regarding the small bump/lurch I feel in what seems to be the drieline. This occurs after a full stop and is most noticeable if you let off slightly on the brake and start rolling forward slowly.

The dealer had previously done the lube kit repair which alleviated the original harder clunk when starting or stopping. After just a few hundred miles I then started noticing the more subtle bump/lurch feel when slowly letting off brake from a stop. The dealer then did the software updates mentioned earlier in this thread but did not rectify the issue. They had 2 different techs drive it and they said they could feel what I was talking about but that it was "normal ". Normal because it is all wheel drive and it is transferring load to the front after stopping. Well it wasn't doing this before and it does this in regular mode or sport mode. He also said this is common with the Trackhawks as well.

I did talk to another TRX owner that I know that says his also does this. So if this truly is a characteristic of these trucks I can live with it but I am not convinced. When I had my Raptor and would occasionally use awd mode it did not do this although I understand that has a different set up.

I love this truck in every aspect and this is really the only thing that nags at me a bit. If this is truly the nature of the beast then no big deal.

Just wondering what others think of this that have more mechanical and hands on experience with this. Also if many others have noticed this on their truck. Maybe I am over analyzing?

Hey there!

We'd love to hear more about this. Would you mind sending us a DM with your VIN and phone number so we can dig into this with you?

Callie
Ram Cares

 

[wac45]

Hey there!

We'd love to hear more about this. Would you mind sending us a DM with your VIN and phone number so we can dig into this with you?

Callie
Ram Cares

@RamCares, thank you for reaching out to me on this. I will send you a DM with the information.

 

[marksouth]

Update from my last dealer visit regarding the small bump/lurch I feel in what seems to be the drieline. This occurs after a full stop and is most noticeable if you let off slightly on the brake and start rolling forward slowly.

The dealer had previously done the lube kit repair which alleviated the original harder clunk when starting or stopping. After just a few hundred miles I then started noticing the more subtle bump/lurch feel when slowly letting off brake from a stop. The dealer then did the software updates mentioned earlier in this thread but did not rectify the issue. They had 2 different techs drive it and they said they could feel what I was talking about but that it was "normal ". Normal because it is all wheel drive and it is transferring load to the front after stopping. Well it wasn't doing this before and it does this in regular mode or sport mode. He also said this is common with the Trackhawks as well.

I did talk to another TRX owner that I know that says his also does this. So if this truly is a characteristic of these trucks I can live with it but I am not convinced. When I had my Raptor and would occasionally use awd mode it did not do this although I understand that has a different set up.

I love this truck in every aspect and this is really the only thing that nags at me a bit. If this is truly the nature of the beast then no big deal.

Just wondering what others think of this that have more mechanical and hands on experience with this. Also if many others have noticed this on their truck. Maybe I am over analyzing?

Just wondering if the service tech did the lube job correctly. I did mine a couple thousand miles back and have had no reoccurrence yet. The instructions are very specific about using the entire tube of lubricant, and that it should only be applied to the female portion of the driveshaft, not the male portion (giggling) before insertion. Even thought it's a pretty small tube, it was MUCH more lube than was originally on my driveshaft.

Just my thoughts. Hope yours gets sorted!

 

[wac45]

Just wondering if the service tech did the lube job correctly. I did mine a couple thousand miles back and have had no reoccurrence yet. The instructions are very specific about using the entire tube of lubricant, and that it should only be applied to the female portion of the driveshaft, not the male portion (giggling) before insertion. Even thought it's a pretty small tube, it was MUCH more lube than was originally on my driveshaft.

Just my thoughts. Hope yours gets sorted!

Thanks for that input. I was thinking the same thing, that makes sense. I wish I had the skills/tools to do this myself as it seems to be the only way to know if it was really done correctly.

 

[84 Sheepdog]

I greased the DS splines myself last March using a product called "Green Grease". http://www.greengrease.net/index.html I have 7,500 miles on the truck since and the clunk still hasn't returned. I did it the lazy way also and didn't even drop the driveshaft. I just pulled the DS boot back and applied a good amount of grease around the splines. I know others have reported this only lasts them 3k to 5k miles even when pulling the entire driveshaft. I don't know if the type of grease I used is making it last longer for me? I've used this "green grease" on the driveline components in our Jeeps, UTV's, and heavy equipment for years. It holds up to a lot of abuse (exposure to sand, deep water, etc) and doesn't wash out as quickly as others. Since others have said the clunk returns eventually I ended up just putting a worm drive clamp on that DS boot. If the clunk returns and I need to reapply the grease I can easily remove the clamp and reapply. I may end up just adding some grease at each oil change while I'm under there.

 

[Claasicdrive]

I greased the DS splines myself last March using a product called "Green Grease". http://www.greengrease.net/index.html

I used this with good results. I used it on my boat and was happy with it

https://www.grainger.com/product/49EP49

 

[Brudish]

Here's some pics of the lube that came with the Mopar drive shaft boot kit. I haven't applied it yet...maybe someday soon. For some reason the clunk has disappeared the past few months.

 

[Austinmtlhd]

Well, I took it in to get the kit installed and the firmware updated. All went well when I picked it up.

When driving it home that day the clunk was gone. Next day started it up and the dash lite up like a pinball machine with check shifter, auto breaking system out and TPM system not reading. Still drove OK and the warnings went away so I went ahead and drove it to work. When I got to work I went to lock it. It didn't lock. I went back in and checked on why it would not lock. The dash showed the press break and push button to start. The start button off light was flashing dimly every second. It wouldn't do anything. Wouldn't lock, unlock, start or anything. No other warnings on the screen. the truck was just dead.

I called the dealer to let them know what it did. About an hour later I went back to unhook the battery to try a reset. Before I tried the battery I tried it and it started right up and looked like it was OK. Didn't do anything to it but let it sit for a couple hours. The dealer said it could have been due to it being cold this AM and the battery was "glitching". It's been colder before so I think I'm going to call BS on that one.

I'll have to see if the codes come back or not. I'm going to check the battery connections when I get home today.

Waiting for the spring kit to come in so it will stop leaning when full of gas. Parts on back order for now. ETA is mid January.

 

[wac45]

I have around 1800 miles on my truck that I got in October of this year. I knew about this issue before I even had the truck so from day 1 I was looking to see if I can recreate it. My experience so far is that overtime the sensation of the bump/lurch has increased. The first 500-1000 miles It was not noticeable in a meaningful way. From 1000-1800 it has gradually become more noticeable. I do feel this sensation more on sport mode although it does still occur on auto. If this is how it's designed than I am okay with it. I've read about others that tried the special lube procedure that RAM recommends only to end up with the same situation eventually.

My guess is that's the nature of the beast. If the 2023 models don't have this issue than we will know for sure something is wrong with our trucks.

As an update I was at my dealer today for the tailgate recall. I had an opportunity to talk with their head tech there for quite awhile regarding the clunk I am still experiencing. He actually drove it last time I had it in to experience it for himself.

He was clear that this is normal for these vehicles. He was very accommodating and even agreed that they would relube it for me (since this initially remedied the problem) but was also clear that it would return again. He essentially said this is just inherent in the design. I think this is going to put the issue to bed for me and I am not going to focus on it or worry about it anymore. Not a big enough deal to make a difference.

Still smiling every time I drive my truck.

 

[FULLTHROTTLERICK]

As an update I was at my dealer today for the tailgate recall. I had an opportunity to talk with their head tech there for quite awhile regarding the clunk I am still experiencing. He actually drove it last time I had it in to experience it for himself.

He was clear that this is normal for these vehicles. He was very accommodating and even agreed that they would relube it for me (since this initially remedied the problem) but was also clear that it would return again. He essentially said this is just inherent in the design. I think this is going to put the issue to bed for me and I am not going to focus on it or worry about it anymore. Not a big enough deal to make a difference.

Still smiling every time I drive my truck.

Does yours clunk every time u drive it? How many miles on urs?

 

[wac45]

Does yours clunk every time u drive it? How many miles on urs?

Pretty much everytime although it is more subtle than before the lube. I currently have about 3500 miles. I first noticed the clunk about 1500 miles, 1800 miles they did the lube kit and that solved it until about 2800 miles when it slowly started returning. It is not near as noticeable as it was before the lube kit but it is still there somewhat. Hopefully it doesn't get worse. Is what it is I guess.