Grocery Getter

I installed four about 4 months ago and I know all the bolts are tight. Now from the right front corner, every bump I hear a rattle or clunk. ***?

I think it started after rolling into a driveway a bit quick, a whopping 10 mph.

vzdude

I had a slight noise after putting them on, but haven't heard it in a long time. I was thinking that I didn't have the bushing centered, and it finally found its way. I would try to have someone rock the truck back and forth while you have a hand on the shock. Also pay attention to the sway bar link too.

firemansdiesel

Recheck your lower shock mount on that side. Re-TQ it and make sure the bolt is in all the way. Common problem w/ the 5100 install.

mega-engr

I have something like this on my stock truck. Dealer replaced the steering box and it seemed better, but after driving a while, I hear it still. It is the right front and only when going through a driveway at an angle...

D45

The lower shock mounting bolts must be torqued down, go 10-20 lbs past specs........

glowball

You are probably feeling the slop in your ball joints. Our trucks come from the factory with up and down ball joint play. I noticed it big time with the addition of the bilsteins on my truck. Every little bump in the road I feel a thump up front. Isn't it nice??

stumpjumper

also check the upper shock mount tower nuts. the 13mm ones make sure the tower is tight.....

Danderson

I've got an '07 with zero play or thumps in the steering. My neighbor's '07 is the same. I've got a Lorenz upgrade,he's got a Carli. I don't know if that matters. Stock,they were perfect too. Guess we lucked out.

glowball

Think so? Go jack up the front end and put a bar under the tire and lift straight up. My brothers new one had up and down play right off the lot. The dealer said it is how their built. When I bought my new ones. The guy I got them from had nothing good to say about the dodge front end. I'll be curious to hear if you don't have up and down play.

firemansdiesel

Dodge states there is some play that is normal, but I never had a rattle/clanking sound do to my ball joints.

When I used to run the 5100 Bilstien shocks. I had a rattle/clanking noise like the original post when first installed. Re-torqued the bottom shock mount bolt like Lorenz told me. Problem fixed. No more clanking/rattle coming from the passenger front side.

Grocery Getter

Actually found the cause of the problem... Its the nut on the top of the shock stem. It was not tightened enough so the top bushing was allowed to wiggle.

So now, I torgued it down. Pain! Had to keep the allen fitted to the top to prevent the stem from rotating while I tightened the nylon lined nut.

I could not get the nut to tighten up the bushing to prevent all play. I can still wiggle it side to side. What can be done? The rattle is much better, but still there. Do I need some washers for spacing?

vzdude

Buy the factory bushings from the dealer. I am not having trouble with mine anymore, but I did notice that the factory bushings were substantially larger.

Rednecktastic

Yeah, I had to tighten mine all back up after a few hundred miles. Good as new after re-torqing them.

Grocery Getter

Ahhhh, factory bushings.... Good thing I kept all the stock stuff, just incase!
Thanks for the ideas and help!