One of the sites that had a "whats new for 2012" with respect to the Ram 1500 claimed a new torque converter for 2012. Is there any truth to this?

NC

 

Hey guys, first post for me on the Forum. Wanted to start by saying a big thanks to all the contributors regarding the TC issue on these later model Rams. I purchased mine 3 months ago, super excited, always wanted a Ram. Then this damn noise we're all familiar will started up. Armed with the star case info from this site, I took a transmission tech from the dealership I bought it from out for a test drive to demonstrate the noise yesterday. They all know what its about, but ask them and they get pretty tight lipped. Needless to say I got a phonecall this morning letting me know the TC kit was on order, and my trucks is going in for the repair next week. Super bummed that with only 5000k on her she's already getting the tranny dropped. I feel like the dealerships are being deceitful. I mean, they know of the problem, but sell you the truck anyway. Sigh. So...for anybody thats got this problem and looking at getting the TC replaced, watch this space as I'll let you know accurately what the outcome is...next week.

 

Welcome to the forum and thanks for posting some updates. I know this site helped me on a few things before i joined just by doing google searches and now i'm hooked on here everyday. I'm curious to see what the outcome will be for you hopefully the best. I'm still debating going to my dealer soon for the same issue, i just gotta double check my symptoms.

Now if Owensue would let us know how his truck turned out it would be nice.

 

Well i just came back from a lil night drive/diagnosis drive, and i would say i have all the required symptoms for the star case. I have the rattling issue between 1400 and 1700 rpm, and it also occurs while in tow/haul. Mostly noticeable at 40mph and over, especially when coasting then slightly accelerating putting a load on the tranny. I also hear it when accelerating from 0 shifting through the gears, but only for a brief moment in between gears.

I can personally hear it because i'm used to every lil sound my truck makes, I can make it happen and hear it well, but it's a different story if the dealership will. If i leave my truck with them guarantied they will drive around and say they didn't hear anything, and blame it on my CAI like they did when i brought it in for that exact reason 2 years ago or so, before this was even a known issue. So therefore to be sure, I will bring the manager or whatever you call him for a ride and point it out to him so we're both on the same page that this is the issue and repairs must be completed.

Now i'm curious if this falls under warranty work, or it's a recall. Either way i don't think i should have to pay for this right? Powertrain warranty is 5yrs/100 000kms? Just covering my ***.

Also when they do this repair, do they have to drop the tranny completely to put the TC on? If they do drop it is all the fluid flushed and new fluid put in? Wondering if i would get a free fluid change at the same time lol.

 

After the vehicle is lifted on a hoist, the engine will need to be supported at the rear, usually using chains. The driveshaft will then be removed.

Cooling lines and wiring harnesses are disconnected.

A transmission cradle lift is wheeled under the transmission and raised until it contacts the transmission. The rear transmission mount is removed and then the transmission-to-engine bolts are removed. Once this is done the weight of the transmission is on the cradle lift.

At this point the transmission can be lowered to a comfortable working height and the torque converter can be removed.

After that the new converter will be fitted and the transmission can be reinstalled.

They will not need to remove any extra fluid, but a dry torque converter coupled with whatever drains from the cooling lines will represent a large quantity of fluid loss. I think a 545RFE holds 28 pints when completely dry and the torque converter holds about half of that at least.

For the record, because gsoline prices have risen quite a bit around here, I switched to 87 octane on the last two tanks and the so called "exhaust rattle" is back.

Regards,
Dusty
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, dual exhaust, 20” wheels

 

Thanks for the reply and clarifying the situation. It's weird that you put in 87 and the noise is more pronounced. Is the noise torque converter related in your case or you figuee it's something else. I always put 91 octane maybe ill throw a few tanks of 87 before going to the dealership if the noise will get louder.

 

Yes, the torque convertor has changed externally for 2012, BUT, NOT internally.
Still has the same turbine spline & shaft issue that has been an on going issue with rattle sound.
They`ve tightend up the spline clearences slightly in late 2011 into 2012 (a band-aid fix)
The 2012 TC has larger bolts that mount up to the flex plate now. (another band-aid..?)
Some of the earlier TC flex plates were cracking (due to tc bolts were loosening up)

Just a Side Note:
Dodge will NEVER fix the TC noise issue until they replace the vendor thats building the TC`s for chrysler.

For those that have asked about new trans fluid:
Dealer will just top it off when the trans job is done.
Chrysler is not paying for anymore than nessesary.

 

I have heard what appears to be a resonance triggered vibration that only occurs when under very slight acceleration and light load, and more prominent on uphill grades. From what I can determine the noise always occurs just at the point where the ECO indicator goes off. Adding more throttle at this point the noise will go away, but trying to reinitiate the same load point will not bring back the noise. This is not a condition that is easily reproduced intentionally.

During the period that I've used 89 octane fuel it has rarely occurred. According to my son the sound appears the loudest at the rear of the vehicle. At first I thought I had a loose heat shield or something, but I spent a good twenty minutes under the vehicle and couldn't locate anything loose.

Using a rubber mallet the only item that seemed to make a rattle noise was one of the rersonators, but after it cooled later I couldn't reproduce that noise either.

Regards,
Dusty
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, dual exhaust, 20” wheels

 

The 2005 hemi truck TSB exhaust ballast`s will fix your exhaust vibe/rattle issue.
And the exhaust vibe has nothing to do with the TC issue either, incase you`re wondering.

 

Yeah, I think you're right, which is why I think some may have not answered the question set at the begining of this thread. The subject title already assumes or implies it's a transmission defect, not an engine speed/shift related symptom.

The condition that I have is so infrequent that I'm not sure it bothers me that much. I'm more disappointed in the stiffness of the horn button and the plastic creaks of some of the interior pieces in cold weather.

Thanks for the reply.

Best regards,
Dusty
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, dual exhaust, 20” wheels