2014 2500 6.7L Rattle in Frontend

[jgruberman]

Hi all,

New to the forums and also new to 6.7L Cummins trucks. Just bought a used with 107k miles 2014 2500 Longhorn. It appears to have a small lift(not sure how to determine) and 35" tires. When I'm at slower speeds(haven't had the opportunity to observe otherwise), I am hearing a rattle/clanking coming from the front end perhaps on the passenger side that seems to be consistent with speed and will also make a clank when going over a speed bump. I'm frustrated because I just spent close to 60k on the truck and it has this sound(and i HATE sounds!).

Does anyone have any ideas on where I can start? I hit stuff around after the truck was off and nothing really made any noises or appeared out of the ordinary to me and it doesn't make the sound at idle.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions you guys could offer!

 

[JR]

If the truck sits level unloaded it likely has some type of lift in the front end. Factory they should have a bit of a rake - rear sits higher. If you take a picture of the coil springs and post it we could probably determine if they are factory or not. If there is a 2-3" spacer on top of the coil spring someone put a leveling kit on it.

As to the noise, how are the tires wearing? Is your center cap on tight? Brake pads loose and rattling within the calipers over bumps?

 

[jgruberman]

Here are the front, rear, side and tires respectively. Center caps seem to be on fine. It's a much heavier material clanking than a cap. It MIGHT be just the engine(hopefully)? I had an EcoDiesel previously, not a full Cummins so maybe I just don't know what the engine sounds like?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Welcome aboard! I don't see a lift, maybe someone else does.

60k for a 2500 with over 100k, is that Canadian? Who told you it was a LongHorn?

Fill in your public signature with your truck specs.

 

[jgruberman]

Welcome aboard! I don't see a lift, maybe someone else does.

60k for a 2500 with over 100k, is that Canadian? Who told you it was a LongHorn?

Fill in your public signature with your truck specs.

It's actually a limited... I'll fill with specs as soon as I can figure out what they are lol. It was 60 after trade in, other stuff etc.. truck itself was 45.

 

[Cummins2014]

Doesn't appear to have a lift, as far as the clunk goes, that 2014 has had 10 recalls, I know. Could it possibly be the track bar making the noise, it was involved in a recall.

 

[jgruberman]

Doesn't appear to have a lift, as far as the clunk goes, that 2014 has had 10 recalls, I know. Could it possibly be the track bar making the noise, it was involved in a recall.

I checked each tire and the driver seems to make the sound. I took a small video clip of the clank. It happens as I'm spinning the axle and then briefly after I let go

 

[JR]

I'd be looking at the universal joints in the front axle, but I honestly haven't ever seen one that bad if that's indeed what it is. Does the sound change for better or worse when you make a corner while driving?
Another thought is to check oil evel and condition in front diff. I don't remember off the top of my head if the fill plug is magnetic or not.

 

[jgruberman]

I'd be looking at the universal joints in the front axle, but I honestly haven't ever seen one that bad if that's indeed what it is. Does the sound change for better or worse when you make a corner while driving?
Another thought is to check oil evel and condition in front diff. I don't remember off the top of my head if the fill plug is magnetic or not.

I thought u joints also but visually, they look fine. Interesting Li enough, when I was leaving my house I drove over those little bumps in the middle of the road with the left side of my truck to see if I can replicate the rattling And it made the rattling extremely worse and quite clearly noticeable. So that tells me that there's something that perhaps is loose or needs to be adjusted on that front driver side. I didn't test the same drive over the bumps on the passenger side because I didn't have the opportunity to, but there's definitely something rattling around on the driver's side in the front end

 

[JR]

Whatever your noise is is also rotation dependent. To be able to replicate the noise like that while turning the wheel at such a low speed tells me either something directly in the driveline or something rubbing the driveline as it turns. I'm not sure what that could be.
Hopefully someone else has some better ideas.

 

[jgruberman]

Whatever your noise is is also rotation dependent. To be able to replicate the noise like that while turning the wheel at such a low speed tells me either something directly in the driveline or something rubbing the driveline as it turns. I'm not sure what that could be.
Hopefully someone else has some better ideas.

And that's what i thought first as well. What else could it also be knowing when i drive over bumps or rumble strip type terrain that the rattling goes crazy?

 

[jgruberman]

Here's the sound as i do the rumble strips, double yellow line made with reflectors and not paint.. it sounds nasty but again, sounds bug the crap out of me lol

 

[jgruberman]

Additional video.. i can't pinpoint a side based on the audio...
Driver Side


Passenger Side

 

[JRudnick]

Additional video.. i can't pinpoint a side based on the audio...
Driver Side


Passenger Side

Check your front driveshaft.

 

[jgruberman]

I think I found it? There shouldn't be this much play, should there?

 

[gsbrockman]

I think I found it? There shouldn't be this much play, should there?

No.

 

[jgruberman]

What is the process for replacing the ujoints in the front driveshaft? I've been searching videos and haven't found a good one yet. May just buy a service manual when I buy the new Ujoints...

 

[gsbrockman]

What is the process for replacing the ujoints in the front driveshaft? I've been searching videos and haven't found a good one yet. May just buy a service manual when I buy the new Ujoints...

It’s fairly labor intensive. I’m no mechanic, but loosen the axle but, remove the tire/wheel, caliper, brake rotor. Remove 4 bolts securing the unit bearing to spindle. Remove axle.

This would also be a greattttttttt time to simply replace the unit bearings as well......IMO.

 

[jgruberman]

It’s fairly labor intensive. I’m no mechanic, but loosen the axle but, remove the tire/wheel, caliper, brake rotor. Remove 4 bolts securing the unit bearing to spindle. Remove axle.

This would also be a greattttttttt time to simply replace the unit bearings as well......IMO.

Yeah as I am starting to understand it, it's pretty labor intensive also. I may try one side tonight, but need to get the replacements anyway. Going to grab Moog super strength u-joints

 

[JR]

Axle shaft universal joint was the first thing I thought of hearing your first video but thought nah....it cant be THAT bad.

I'm sure you have already drawn the same conclusion but that should definitely not be driven until fixed!