2004 Ram driveline gear slack noise

[GTOWag]

I have a 2004. 5, 3500, 4WD, club cab, long bed, six speed, locking 3:73 rear-end. I have been experiencing what I consider as excessive gear slack in the drive train. I believe it has been there since day one but it is getting more noticeable. I know the usual cause is a sloppy universal joint, but they are OK. Another cause could be excessive ring and pinion gear clearance, but my dealer pulled the cover and this checked out OK. My dealer is telling me that what I am experiencing is an accumulated drive line slack which includes slack from the clutch, transmission, transfer case, two piece drive shaft universal joints, drive shaft center carrier bearing and splines, and finally the differential. This sounds possible, but still not acceptable. I have had many stick shift trucks before, but never a 4WD or a truck as heavy duty as my new Ram, so it could be a normal condition, I don’t know. It’s really annoying hearing the clunk every time I up-shift. Has anyone out there experienced the same problem?

 

[yycguy]

Has anyone out there experienced the same problem?

Gary,

I have a 04 with the 48Re and I too notice the drive-line slop. Now I posted here a few weeks ago and got several responses from others that have the same slop in there drive-line, it seems that it is another Ram idiosyncrasy that we have to live with. Hope that helps

 

[LRundberget]

The only time I hear a clunk is when my feet are not in sync. If I drop the clutch too fast and don't apply enough fuel, I will get a clunk. Otherwise the drive train is smooth as can be.

 

[mconstable]

Mine does it, I'm sure it's driveline slop,drove me nuts, tried all kinds of different ways of adjusting my clutch-technique, but had more success adjusting the accelerator-pedal technique, the whole computer-controlled thing makes these different, it's hard to adjust to, but works.

First noticed it when I let off the accelerator abruptly for one reason or another, and got the same clunk as shifting, started easing in and out of it, and all is good!

 

[GTOWag]

Drive line slop

Thanks for your replys. I guess "Drive Line Slop" is a good name for it and I guess I will have to live with it. Doesn't mean I have to like it though. I thought I might hear from a few more members, but if it's an old subject I guess they might figure it has been discussed enough.



Thanks G. W.

 

[SilverFox]

Gary,



I'm not a mechanic and couldn't tear down a transmission or replace a clutch if my life depended on it but I have owned many pickups and one class 6, two class 7's and 1 class 8 in my life. Most with manual transmissions. They all have slop. I think it's more noticeable on a truck because the clutch face is harder than say a sports car. It also could be the weight of the truck bringing the engine up to speed very quickly with a clutch that doesn't slip when the engine RPM is slightly lower or not synchronized with the wheel speed. You can learn to lessen or completely eliminate the clunk you are experiencing by adding a few RPM as you engage the clutch. It might also help if you release the clutch a little bit slower. Make a game out of it and try to get all the way through the 6 gears with no clunk. After a while it'll be unusual for you to hear of feel the clunk.



All I have done on this post is to elaborate on what LRundberget said.

 

[jersey diesel]

slop?

I to have a 3500 4x4 6 speed, have 11000. miles on it. I have never heard a thunk or clunk when shifting. I'm not sure what drive line slop feels like, but I don't beleive I have it. Steve

 

[GTOWag]

Silver Fox: Thanks for your input. I guess I will have to try a little harder for a smoother shift. I see by your signature block that you tow with a Hensley Hitch. I tow a 33' travel trailer with one too and have been really impressed with it. I highly recommend Hensley to anyone in the towing bussness.



Thanks... . Gary Wagner

 

[SilverFox]

Gary,

 

[jrlawler]

How long have you been driving a big pickup? No offense intended. Every truck I've ever crawled underneath has had a bit of driveline slack. Do you have your shift together so that when you engage the clutch the speed of the engine is just a hair faster than that of the transmission> If you don't you can get a clunk out of just about any of them. I can get a clunk out of my 04 CTD 48re. Relax, we Cummins owners are known to be just a little obsessive about our wonderful trucks.

 

[Scooby]

Don't worry - I have almost the exact same truck you do and I had the clunk noise for the first week or two as well. I've been driving manual transmissions my entire life but... it went away as I learned to drive this particular set-up the way it likes to be driven. The clunk only comes back for a few shifts (sometimes ) when I get back in my truck after driving another stick shift car for a few days.

 

[APersondek]

I too have noticed an increasing amount of drive-line slop, starting around the 15K mark. I currently have a little over 23k. I also know that if I really pay attention and get the RPM's just right, there is less of a clunk... . and sometimes none at all. I am glad someone posted this as I was really starting to worry if I was having a clutch or gearbox problem.



Reading this thread make me believe that this is the nature of the beast and I need to keep reminding myself that I may have the sport appearance group, however I do not have a sports car precision.