Subtle clunk when stopping or starting

[NTXTremor]

My 2021 Tremor has around 12K miles on it, and just this week, I started noticing a very slight clunk at times although not only when starting or stopping.

I sense that it is coming from the driver's front wheel. I feel it through the steering wheel, which makes no sense to me since it is drive by wire with no physical connection to the front wheels.

I will check the slip joint to see if this is the culprit, but I need to check the suspension, too.

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[paval3]

I am a new member and just bought a 2021 Tremor with 30k miles. Love the truck so far. One oddity I notice is a subtle thump/clunk when I stop and start. Like there is a small bit of play in the drive train. Thanks for any advice on where to look.

When I test drove my 2021 Ranger, I was not familiar with the Auto Stop/Start (idle stop) feature. I remember asking my salesman, who was riding along during the test drive, if that subtle clunk was normal. He told me it was. Now I don't even notice it.

 

[EJH]

My 2021 Tremor has around 12K miles on it, and just this week, I started noticing a very slight clunk at times although not only when starting or stopping.

I sense that it is coming from the driver's front wheel. I feel it through the steering wheel, which makes no sense to me since it is drive by wire with no physical connection to the front wheels.

I will check the slip joint to see if this is the culprit, but I need to check the suspension, too.

The steering is not drive by wire. It is still connected mechanically, with electric power assist. The throttle is drive by wire.

 

[NTXTremor]

The steering is not drive by wire. It is still connected mechanically, with electric power assist. The throttle is drive by wire.

OH! That is good to know.

I should definitely check the front wheel.

 

[Vitis805]

Hello @JeffD

The issue you are experiencing is common, and some users are more sensitive to it than others (that good butt dyno). I consider myself to be very sensitive to it. Anyway, it is the biggest complaint I have with the Ranger. Feels like something sloppy in the drivetrain "catching up" upon a slow start or stop. I have taken it to the dealer and they performed the transmission TSB which helped a little, and then I personally lubed the slip-joint which helped more. The truck still does it, but it is less noticeable after those two things.

 

[JasonTremor]

My 2021 Tremor has around 12K miles on it, and just this week, I started noticing a very slight clunk at times although not only when starting or stopping.

I sense that it is coming from the driver's front wheel. I feel it through the steering wheel, which makes no sense to me since it is drive by wire with no physical connection to the front wheels.

I will check the slip joint to see if this is the culprit, but I need to check the suspension, too.

Same here in the warmer months. Service department had me drive a new Ranger, non-Tremor, last year and I felt the same slight clunk that felt like it was directly connected to the steering column, or close to it. I traced it to minor movement in the collapsible steering shaft between the cab and the rack and pinion input. It's the part of the shaft intended to collapse during a frontal collision.

 

[Fitzmotor]

Mine should start doing it soon, once it hits the higher temps outside it starts happening.

 

[_TraMor]

Sounds like the same as this thread.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/possible-caliper-brake-issue.25457/#post-582891

Yeah it does. I found the issue happens on the flat ground too. Guess I'll be checking this out too. Nearest good dealer is over an hour away.

 

[bbeverag]

I bought a 2022 Tremor recently and it has this same behavior. It doesn't bother me at all, I just notice it. I thought it was normal because the Bronco I test drove a few weeks ago had the exact same feel, like the drivetrain had to catch up for 1/10th of a second when coming to a complete stop.

Is there any risk in leaving this as is if it doesn't bother me?

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I bought a 2022 Tremor recently and it has this same behavior. It doesn't bother me at all, I just notice it. I thought it was normal because the Bronco I test drove a few weeks ago had the exact same feel, like the drivetrain had to catch up for 1/10th of a second when coming to a complete stop.

Is there any risk in leaving this as is if it doesn't bother me?

Hi Bob,

I doubt it hurts anything...my Ranger has this behavior too... and like you it does not bother me. I would recommend monitoring it and if it gets worse...Remedial action might be required.
Enjoy your Ranger!

Best,
Phil

 

[puda]

My 2021 Tremor has around 12K miles on it, and just this week, I started noticing a very slight clunk at times although not only when starting or stopping.

I sense that it is coming from the driver's front wheel. I feel it through the steering wheel, which makes no sense to me since it is drive by wire with no physical connection to the front wheels.

I will check the slip joint to see if this is the culprit, but I need to check the suspension, too.

I have been dealing with the "clunk" in the steering for about 20,000 now. It only seems to manifest itself with temperature above 90 degrees, so it's been hard to get a dealer to identify it. Did you have any luck with the clunky feel in the steering wheel?

 

[Fawnbuster]

I failed to snap my backseat back in securely one time after I bought it and I would get a clunk until I snapped it in seat would come out a bit against the seatbelt and flop back against the latch

 

[NTXTremor]

I have been dealing with the "clunk" in the steering for about 20,000 now. It only seems to manifest itself with temperature above 90 degrees, so it's been hard to get a dealer to identify it. Did you have any luck with the clunky feel in the steering wheel?

No, it is still there. I have been waiting to see if it gets any worse before I take it in for my next oil change.

 

[Msfitoy]

I am a new member and just bought a 2021 Tremor with 30k miles. Love the truck so far. One oddity I notice is a subtle thump/clunk when I stop and start. Like there is a small bit of play in the drive train. Thanks for any advice on where to look.

I might be wrong but I think it's a truck thing...

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