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Front end clunking noise

Tiny
JAMESRESH66
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 RAM 2500
  • 6.7L
  • 6 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
I have a clunking noise coming from the front end of my truck. I have no idea what it is. I had a wheel bearing go out on the passenger side. I then broke my passenger side down after realizing that caliper was sticking and replaced both caliper and rotor. The clunking noise appeared immediately after braking the truck down before replacing the caliper and rotor because I attempted to just get the caliper to stop sticking which worked successfully, but the clunking noise appeared. I figured out what the small clunking noise was and it was missing rattle clips, but after making that small clunking noise stop a new one appeared and it seemed to be the track bar. So I rigged it up to make it stop sliding front to back and it continued even after that. I have no clue what is going on and need some answers.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 6:20 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay, there are a couple things we need to clarify. When does this make the noise? Braking or hitting bumps?

Next when you say you "rigged" up the track bar, can you tell us what that means? How did you fix that?

Lastly it would help if you can get a recording of the noise just so we can hear it as that will help narrow this down.

Let's start with this info. Thanks

Here is a guide that will help with this issue in more general terms:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-noises
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
JAMESRESH66
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It only occurs when I’m going about 45 mph and stop. When I apply the brakes and I pulled the track bar and put the bad bushing on the top part of the track bar connecting to the frame where it had been sliding back and forth. Then put the bad on the bottom part and it seemed to hold a very tight bond and stop sliding back and forth like it did.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 6:57 PM
Tiny
JAMESRESH66
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Also, whenever I slam on the brakes it pulls to the right and it with do an almost death wobble when going about 75 mph.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 7:11 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,904 POSTS
Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can hear the noise? That would be great. You can upload it here with your response.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
JAMESRESH66
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I tried to but the wind from going down the road was making the noise muffle out.
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Thursday, September 10th, 2020 AT 8:33 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay, these issues and the wobble issue are due to the steering components, namely the track bar are loose.

I would suggest replacing all bushings and retesting. Just because you think it feels tight, unfortunately doesn't suffice. If the tie rods are suspect as well, I would replace them as well.

Lastly if the steering dampener is leaking you need to replace it as well.

Is the truck lifted or have oversize tires?
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Friday, September 11th, 2020 AT 7:12 PM
Tiny
JAMESRESH66
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
My truck has a basic leveling kit and larger wheels but not larger tires. I have almost narrowed it down to just being the track bar I replaced the driver side wheel bearing tonight because I noticed a slight buzz and grind so I replaced it just for safe keep and nothing is leaking and the ball joints are tight for sure. There is no play at all in the tire whenever you pull it at 3 and 9 o’clock and they have no tears in the boots either. So I believe the track bar is the issue and the new Moog polyurethane bushings should be here Monday. If it’s not that I will for sure message on here to try to get more answers. I know the U joints connect the axle to the hub assembly have no play in them either and there should be no brake issues because they were all replaced while I was with a mechanic at his house. The only thing I could think of other than this is if there is some type of body mount that is loose. Like a cab mount or something like that but that would not explain the noise stopping when the brakes are applied and if the brakes are applied I know it puts tension on the track bar. That could be possibly pulling the bushings tight and making it to where they make no noise then when the pressure is released they begin to rattle and move again.
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Saturday, September 12th, 2020 AT 12:52 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
We have not seen many issues with cab bolts being loose causing this. I would put my bet on a track bar before anything else. So if you found an issue here before, we need to address that first and foremost.
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Saturday, September 12th, 2020 AT 6:19 PM

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