04.5 Possible Problems

[Jack in Alaska]

I have discovered a few concerns on my completely stock 04. 5 with 5400 miles.



1. When idling, 6spd in neutral, clutch pushed in and I leave the clutch out quickly there is a fairly loud "clack" that comes from the clutch area. Never heard it in my 1st or 2nd gen. ?????



2. When starting out in 2nd gear there is a tinny, vibrating sound that disappears when up to 15-20 mph. Sounds like a loose exhaust or heat shield. ????



3. When accelerating normally and then letting off the pedal there is a "clunk sound" from the rear of the truck like there is slop in the driveline/rearend??????



Are any of these common??? It is going into the DC dealer next week. Otherwise I really like this truck.



Thanks for any replies.

 

[HBarlow]

Jack:



I think symptom #1 is simply a normal sound that results from quickly engaging the clutch and suddenly spinning the driven parts of the transmission while in an unloaded condition. I think it is normal.



Symptom #2 sounds like a familiar sound I have heard many times from my own truck and from other Dodges when walking my dog in a truckstop and another six speed Dodge has slowed to cross the ramp between street and parking lot then accelerated lightly in second gear. I think it is nothing more than the low rpm power pulses of the mighty Cummins rattling the gears and internal parts of the transmission. I think it is common. The noise increases in high mileage trucks with more wear in the transmission.



Symptom #3 is not familiar to me. It may be caused by rapid transition from power on to power off snapping normal driveline slack. It is probably nothing to worry about in your low mileage truck.



Harvey

 

[HOBrian]

My "clunk" was the rear most u-joint going bad. The others seem very normal to me

 

[CATwrench]

I would be most concerned w/symptom #1, it sounds like you possibly have a bad hyd. clutch slave cylinder. I had a half ton that did the same thing since new, the service techs said there was nothing wrong w/ it until I finally replaced all the bearings in my clutch only to find out that the slave cyl/hydraulic system was bad. If you get a "clack" upshifting and downshifting I would insist that they replace that item and see if it is smoother. Hope this saves you some grief.

 

[GarrettS]

my 04. 5 has sympton #2, its done that since day 1. quite annoying, my 04 doesn't it do it though.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Thanks for the replies. I may delay the DC dealer appt. until I make my trip to Seattle and back next week. That will be another 5k on the truck which should bring out any serious problem.

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

clunk!! bang!!! etc.

Ck the clamp on the exhaust that attaches to the Bellhousing area on the passenger side. Could cause all three.

 

[Jack in Alaska]

Just back in Alaska from our 5500 miles in 10 day trip to Seattle.

The truck performed flawlessly.

Aren't they great????