Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Thunking noise from front after 100 miles on horrible washboard

[rootmanslim]

Recently drove my 01 Ram 4X4 2500 Cummins w/99,000 miles, 100 miles on a horrible USFS road that limited speed to 15-20 mph and even then shook the crap out of the truck. Had the front end checked @98,500 and mechanic says ball joints are fine. After that trip, even a slightly rough pavement produces a "thunking" from the front of the truck underneath. I got underneath and tried to wiggle the track arms, steering bar (I have Luke's Link and The Steel steering box stabilizer), exhaust was not hitting anything nor the drive shaft. U joints are fine. All the rubber bushings are quite perished but have been for years. This is far from the first time I have driven on Wyoming's back dirt roads but this noise is new and of concern. Frankly I am gobsmacked as to the cause. Any advice most appreciated.

 

[JR]

Does the clunk feel like its in the floorboard? I'd check the control arm bushings out.

I was just through Pinedale in early August. I've got family in Laramie and we spent several days in Yellowstone. Went south into Jackson Hole to meet up with some old friends and drove on through to Pinedale to stay the night. My grandparents owned a ranch on Paradise Road in Boulder for 30+ years so I spent alot of time in Boulder/ Pinedale during my youth. Grandparents had to sell the ranch and retire so it's been close to 20 years since I've been through the area. It felt really good to be back but I couldn't get over how much things have changed! Lots of gas wells that never previously existed, especially on Paradise Road. I can remember when it was a poorly maintained 2 lane road, its been widened and paved now.

Sorry for veering off track, good luck in your search for the mystery clunk.

 

[MLee]

Loose shocks? shock towers. Wheel Lugs

 

[gtwitch]

JR I also grew up in Sublette CO as my parents Grant/Dorothy Twitchell and Joe Thomas's parents owned the Big Sandy Lodge (purchased from Finis Mitchell in 1949) I live in Laramie now but return to Sublette County as often as I can.

gtwitch in wyoming

 

[rootmanslim]

JR, thanks but they're okay.

So you saw the gas wells eh ? Did you see the 20 million $ acquatic center, the 8 million seniors center, the 10 million bus garage, the 6 million new hwy dept garage, the new as yet not $ quantified middle school, the 5 million old folks home, the streets and sidewalks torn up every year regardless of condition, all the new Sublette county departments (emergency preparedness, homeland security, etc etc all with 50,000 $ new trucks). (All the vehicles are being bought from a local dealer at 25% more cost than bids from a Salt Lake dealer) Yes ! the Bubbas are pizzing the gas royalities away as fast as they can, yet property taxes continue to rise in spite of a real estate market that has fallen faster than Hillary's poll #s. Now that the price of natural gas has fallen thru the floor, the drillers are all leaving as fast as they can. Not that we'll miss the drunken, dope using, wife beating, poaching rig pigs from a quality of life standpoint but local businesses are closing up right and left. Typical Wyoming ..... a never ending cycle of boom and bust.

 

[JR]

I did notice the stiff truck prices, we stopped at a Chrysler dealership in town (the name escapes me but it was behind a gas station and hotel).

I'm sorry to hear things have taken a turn for the worse. I ways loved the peace and tranquility Boulder and Pinedale had to offer. Hopefully things will quiet down and the riff raff moves on. I was talking with a couple at the WyColo Lodge and the oil boom is exactly what drove them from their home in N Dakota. How sad to see such quiet low keyed communities ruined by greed and sloth.

Back to your truck, sometimes you can find worn or loose components by having an assistant slowly turn the wheel lock to lock while you visually inspect each component. Having the weight of the truck on the ground helps by putting enough stress on the components that a loose ball joint or connection will be more noticeable.

If you don't notice anything that way it's likely a bushing. Shock mounts, a arms, control arms all need inspected. Even cab mounts are a possibility. If they are original they're all due for replacement. You'd be surprised how much different it will ride.

 

[JR]

JR I also grew up in Sublette CO as my parents Grant/Dorothy Twitchell and Joe Thomas's parents owned the Big Sandy Lodge (purchased from Finis Mitchell in 1949) I live in Laramie now but return to Sublette County as often as I can.

gtwitch in wyoming

Small world! I am vaguely familiar with the Lodge. Never stayed there but have been by it.

 

[JMcCoy]

I agree to check your control arms. That's what mine did when they went bad. I would also have someone lightly saw on uh our wheel while you inspect everything. Good luck

 

[Bob4x4]

I have also seen cracks in the sheet metal of the cab and floor that will snap,crackle and pop depending on the type road.

 

[Ozymandias]

In my case it were the Cab Mounts, something that no one was expecting.

 

[MLee]

Maybe you can up-grade to the liquid filled now. If available.

 

[rootmanslim]

Finally found the source of the problem. At the rear bottom of the fender and about 1/2 way up the back of the fender are tabs that secure the fender with bolts.
Both of these tabs had broken off the fender leaving it free to flap about and make the noise. I got some heavy aluminium L stock and secured it to the fender with self tapping screws. Then these were fastened to the chassis tabs and the noise was gone. While the OEM method to tie things together is fine for paved roads, it was never designed for 14 years of hammering around on Forest Circus roads.

 

[Dog Hauler]

I had the same thing happen to my 01 2500. Took the whole front end apart looking for the clunk. Finally, out of desperation, I sprayed some WD-40 on the bottom of the coil springs (where they sit in the housing) and the clunk was gone! I'll eventually put some grease on them and hope it permanently solves the problem.