19 Ram 2500 bottoming out

[Socalx09]

Stock 2019 Ram Big Horn crew cab with around 34k miles.

Every time I go through any size bump, I hear a thud in the front. I haven’t used it for a lot for city driving until recently, but are the shocks already done for? Robert thought I was just use to the air ride on the suburban and not a trucks stock ride. So on the last river trip, we drove it and he said it’s bottoming out. We picked up his diesel truck from mad diesel tech and talked to him about the Ram issues. We are about to order some billsteins for it and he’s going to put those in. He knows his stuff for sure. Im sure he will be able to tell if something else is wrong when he does it.

I just keep thinking something is loose because it only has 34k miles on it with minimal towing. Any one else have these issues with few miles? I guess I’m just amazed if it the shocks how they didn’t last very long. Not looking to spend a fortune or level it yet as the boat took away a lot of the “fun funds.” But, even small speeds bumps at a very low speed, there is a loud thud.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Stock 2019 Ram Big Horn crew cab with around 34k miles.

Every time I go through any size bump, I hear a thud in the front. I haven’t used it for a lot for city driving until recently, but are the shocks already done for? Robert thought I was just use to the air ride on the suburban and not a trucks stock ride. So on the last river trip, we drove it and he said it’s bottoming out. We picked up his diesel truck from mad diesel tech and talked to him about the Ram issues. We are about to order some billsteins for it and he’s going to put those in. He knows his stuff for sure. Im sure he will be able to tell if something else is wrong when he does it.

I just keep thinking something is loose because it only has 34k miles on it with minimal towing. Any one else have these issues with few miles? I guess I’m just amazed if it the shocks how they didn’t last very long. Not looking to spend a fortune or level it yet as the boat took away a lot of the “fun funds.” But, even small speeds bumps at a very low speed, there is a loud thud.

Factory shocks are junk and their performance degrades early, but even then it shouldn't be bottoming out.
It's probably just riding like crap,, and something is making noise. Billstiens will help the ride for sure. But get it checked out, Dodge has had some front-suspension recalls, especially for steering / tie rods. Might be something happening threre.

 

[DarkJuJu]

I have an 2018 had the same issue, got a thuren level kit for the front end with just the blisten shocks and it was night a day difference, i never hit the bump stops anymore.

2014-2024 Dodge Ram 2500 Bilstein 5100 Front Leveling Kit

Get the best performance with Thuren Fabrication Leveling Kit! It includes Front Soft Ride Coils, Front Trackbar, and Bilstein 5100 front shocks. Choose your coil springs lift height wisely for optimal results. #ThurenFabrication #LevelingKit #OffRoadUpgrades

www.thurenfabrication.com

 

[Nanu/Nanu]

I have the fox shox 2.0s on my 17 ram mega cab 6.7 Cummins it rides really nice. Just be mindful its a solid axle front end so its not even going to compare to a suburbans front end.

 

[monkeyswrench]

If you're feeling a thump at low speed bumps, I'd be thinking something other than bottoming out. They ride like a buckboard stock, so it would be quite a bit of compression before hitting bump stops. Ball joints are pretty common on those, especially with bigger tires, but not usually at that mileage. If it were wheel bearing you'd usually get an abs code/ wheel speed sensor code.

 

[Socalx09]

Factory shocks are junk and their performance degrades early, but even then it shouldn't be bottoming out.
It's probably just riding like crap,, and something is making noise. Billstiens will help the ride for sure. But get it checked out, Dodge has had some front-suspension recalls, especially for steering / tie rods. Might be something happening threre.

Thanks. I’ll check out the recalls on it before ordering anything. I keep thinking it is more than the shocks because of how loud the thud is. It’s like something is loose to me. But, going to probably drop it off next week at the shop and see what happens. I would like to level it at a certain point, but not sure how much more that will cost to do it right.

 

[Socalx09]

I have an 2018 had the same issue, got a thuren level kit for the front end with just the blisten shocks and it was night a day difference, i never hit the bump stops anymore.

2014-2024 Dodge Ram 2500 Bilstein 5100 Front Leveling Kit

Get the best performance with Thuren Fabrication Leveling Kit! It includes Front Soft Ride Coils, Front Trackbar, and Bilstein 5100 front shocks. Choose your coil springs lift height wisely for optimal results. #ThurenFabrication #LevelingKit #OffRoadUpgrades

www.thurenfabrication.com

Thanks! Will look into this. Doesn’t seem too terrible of pricing. I was doing research online that says to put Vaseline or grease on the stops and see if they hit to check if that’s the problem.

 

[Socalx09]

I have the fox shox 2.0s on my 17 ram mega cab 6.7 Cummins it rides really nice. Just be mindful its a solid axle front end so its not even going to compare to a suburbans front end.

Yeah that’s what Robert kept telling me. The air ride on the suburban is so nice. but the thud thing is new to me. I may not have paid attention before as I wasn’t driving it as much, but this sounds painful haha.

 

[Icky]

Air pressure changes the ride quality too. If you have your tires maxed out then it's going to ride rougher. For example when I tow my 5th wheel my tires are at 75-80 lbs, I run much less when not towing.

 

[Socalx09]

If you're feeling a thump at low speed bumps, I'd be thinking something other than bottoming out. They ride like a buckboard stock, so it would be quite a bit of compression before hitting bump stops. Ball joints are pretty common on those, especially with bigger tires, but not usually at that mileage. If it were wheel bearing you'd usually get an abs code/ wheel speed sensor code.

I do have 35s on it…so it’s not exactly “stock” but that’s the only thing different than stock.

 

[lbhsbz]

Everyone who rides in my 1500HD things it's bottoming out over everything....but they mistakenly assumed that the suspension actually moved for that to occur. On some bigger trucks, the springs are more like decoration until you put 2000-3000lbs in it.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Air pressure changes the ride quality too. If you have your tires maxed out then it's going to ride rougher. For example when I tow my 5th wheel my tires are at 75-80 lbs, I run much less when not towing.

I do have 35s on it…so it’s not exactly “stock” but that’s the only thing different than stock.

Like icky said above, run the correct tire pressure for the load on that axle. The door sticker is a good starting point.

2nd, to verify its bottoming out, throw a dab of grease on the bottom of the bump stop and drive it around. If the grease is not on the contact pad and you felt the thud, its not bottoming out. its something else. If it is, well at least you now have definitive proof.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

These trucks bottom out somewhat easily stock- but a loud thud sounds like a loose or worn track bar- stock they are toast by 30-50k.

I am a big fan of Thuren stuff, I ran a 2” level with trackbar and “overland” shocks on my ‘16 2500, and now I have springs, trackbar, boogie bumps, sway bar, and fox remote res shocks on my 17.

The Thuren stuff makes a nice difference- but if you go that route I’d stick with 1 or 2” springs- 2” will be dead level unloaded, while 1” will retain a little rake so it levels out while towing light loads. The boogie bumps are a nice difference over the factory bumpstops.

Also, make sure you are adjusting tire pressure appropriately for the load you are carrying- your Hemi truck does not need 70-80 psi in the front tires even when loaded.

I would suggest Fox 2.0s over the Bilsteins- the digressive valving on the Bilsteins is noticeably more harsh than the progressive valving on the foxes. If you drive really aggressively you might prefer the Bilsteins. If you are keeping the truck, spend the money on the Thuren springs, his shocks, and trackbar.

 

[Socalx09]

Thanks guys! Awesome information. Will do as suggested above to elimainte any other issues going on. We might just have to spend a bit more to do it right with the Thuran kit.

The truck can sit for a little bit if nothing is wrong with it besides the shocks. Our f350 is back from the shop so we can use that to go to the river until we can afford the upgrade on shocks.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

Thanks guys! Awesome information. Will do as suggested above to elimainte any other issues going on. We might just have to spend a bit more to do it right with the Thuran kit.

The truck can sit for a little bit if nothing is wrong with it besides the shocks. Our f350 is back from the shop so we can use that to go to the river until we can afford the upgrade on shocks.

Before you spend any money on parts, have your husband put a socket and breaker bar with cheater pipe on the track bar bolts and make sure they are tight- the spec is something like 240 ft-lb, but the real world is torque with a cheater until he thinks he’s going to get a hernia, lol.

If there’s a thud- and it feels like it’s under your feet- it’s usually the track bar.

Factory shocks aren’t great- but on a gas truck that hasn’t been abused they should still be ok at 30k. These trucks only have about 2-3” of uptravel stock before they hit the bumpstops- but other than a stiff bottoming feeling over fast speed bumps or the like there shouldn’t be any noise or banging involved.

Here’s some good reading from the Thuren site- CJC is also a distributor and might be closer to home if you want to avoid shipping.

2014-2022 RAM 2500 SUSPENSION ENGINEERING

Handling issues stem from varied sources. Component play compounds across suspension. Just 1/16" deflection in track bar bushing amplifies, causing truck handling problems. Upgrade your 2003-2013 Dodge Ram's track bar. Thuren Fabrication offers solutions for improved performance.

www.thurenfabrication.com

Also- if you’re going to eventually go the Thuren route, wait and get the shocks from him.

 

[JDub24]

Stock 2019 Ram Big Horn crew cab with around 34k miles.

Every time I go through any size bump, I hear a thud in the front. I haven’t used it for a lot for city driving until recently, but are the shocks already done for? Robert thought I was just use to the air ride on the suburban and not a trucks stock ride. So on the last river trip, we drove it and he said it’s bottoming out. We picked up his diesel truck from mad diesel tech and talked to him about the Ram issues. We are about to order some billsteins for it and he’s going to put those in. He knows his stuff for sure. Im sure he will be able to tell if something else is wrong when he does it.

I just keep thinking something is loose because it only has 34k miles on it with minimal towing. Any one else have these issues with few miles? I guess I’m just amazed if it the shocks how they didn’t last very long. Not looking to spend a fortune or level it yet as the boat took away a lot of the “fun funds.” But, even small speeds bumps at a very low speed, there is a loud thud.

I vote track bar as well. I have a 2016 2500 Cummins and the stock stuff doesn’t last very long. I went with Carli track bar, leveling coils and shocks. Also added BD steering box brace and fox stabilizer and it drives and steers like a dream. Stock wheels with 35” BFGS. I am about 1600 into all suspension parts and worth every penny

 

[Icky]

Is it under warranty?

 

[Ace in the Hole]

I vote track bar as well. I have a 2016 2500 Cummins and the stock stuff doesn’t last very long. I went with Carli track bar, leveling coils and shocks. Also added BD steering box brace and fox stabilizer and it drives and steers like a dream. Stock wheels with 35” BFGS. I am about 1600 into all suspension parts and worth every penny

I thought the same thing...one of my previous rams had the issue and it was solved with a new track bar/ball joints...did a steering box brace as well on that one.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Is it under warranty?

unless they bought extended the suspension will be out of warranty by time at the minimum.

 

[Socalx09]

Before you spend any money on parts, have your husband put a socket and breaker bar with cheater pipe on the track bar bolts and make sure they are tight- the spec is something like 240 ft-lb, but the real world is torque with a cheater until he thinks he’s going to get a hernia, lol.

If there’s a thud- and it feels like it’s under your feet- it’s usually the track bar.

Factory shocks aren’t great- but on a gas truck that hasn’t been abused they should still be ok at 30k. These trucks only have about 2-3” of uptravel stock before they hit the bumpstops- but other than a stiff bottoming feeling over fast speed bumps or the like there shouldn’t be any noise or banging involved.

Here’s some good reading from the Thuren site- CJC is also a distributor and might be closer to home if you want to avoid shipping.

2014-2022 RAM 2500 SUSPENSION ENGINEERING

Handling issues stem from varied sources. Component play compounds across suspension. Just 1/16" deflection in track bar bushing amplifies, causing truck handling problems. Upgrade your 2003-2013 Dodge Ram's track bar. Thuren Fabrication offers solutions for improved performance.

www.thurenfabrication.com

Also- if you’re going to eventually go the Thuren route, wait and get the shocks from him.

Before you spend any money on parts, have your husband put a socket and breaker bar with cheater pipe on the track bar bolts and make sure they are tight- the spec is something like 240 ft-lb, but the real world is torque with a cheater until he thinks he’s going to get a hernia, lol.

If there’s a thud- and it feels like it’s under your feet- it’s usually the track bar.

Factory shocks aren’t great- but on a gas truck that hasn’t been abused they should still be ok at 30k. These trucks only have about 2-3” of uptravel stock before they hit the bumpstops- but other than a stiff bottoming feeling over fast speed bumps or the like there shouldn’t be any noise or banging involved.

Here’s some good reading from the Thuren site- CJC is also a distributor and might be closer to home if you want to avoid shipping.

2014-2022 RAM 2500 SUSPENSION ENGINEERING

Handling issues stem from varied sources. Component play compounds across suspension. Just 1/16" deflection in track bar bushing amplifies, causing truck handling problems. Upgrade your 2003-2013 Dodge Ram's track bar. Thuren Fabrication offers solutions for improved performance.

www.thurenfabrication.com

Also- if you’re going to eventually go the Thuren route, wait and get the shocks from him.

Hoping he comes home at a decent hour to that out today or I’ll have to wait until the weekend. He has a compressor job tomorrow so he won’t want to do anything tomorrow after work. It does feel like a thud under your feet.

We are going to go the thuran route since so many suggested that on here. Hoping it can just wait a bit longer. Something is always needing money. Just fixed the boat and then this… life could be much worse though.

I know his truck has the fox shocks and bags with the level kit. So, I’m sure he will want to upgrade it nicely when we can figure out what’s going on with it and can afford it

 

[Socalx09]

Is it under warranty?

Not anymore

 

[CobraDave]

Big issue with the body mounts on this truck. There is a TSB on it. My truck is currently doing as well just haven’t brought it in yet. It bumps, rattles, over small stuff. I thought it was a loose running board but I bet that’s your problem. I have a 2019 2500.

 

[Socalx09]

Track bar bolts aren’t loose. Nothing appears wrong. Putting grease on the bump stops now.

 

[Socalx09]

Did a 5 minute drive around the block with greese and bump stops are hitting

 

[Socalx09]

And… yesterday I noticed the suburban was having a little more white smoke than usual at startup. Smelled a little like fuel. We did the valve covers about 6 or so years ago when there was a lot of smoke coming out of it and it hasn’t happened since. We cleaned the throttle body and will replace plugs and wires later this week. No codes.

This morning I started it to move and noticed water dropping near the rear tire. There’s a hole in the muffler and it looks pretty rusted. So not sure if that was the problem, but going to probably have to get that fixed somewhere this week.

So all three of the cars will cost money this month.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Did a 5 minute drive around the block with greese and bump stops are hitting

Start with shocks…

 

[spectra3279]

I just replace the whole front suspension on my 3500 4x4. Including new springs. Raised the truck up about 4 inches. Didn't do leveling springs, they had just sagged. My truck is a 2003 so it's been a while.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

Track bar bolts aren’t loose. Nothing appears wrong. Putting grease on the bump stops now. View attachment 1366352

Well good news is with about the 10 minutes worth of work, you have a 100% diagnosis.

And… yesterday I noticed the suburban was having a little more white smoke than usual at startup. Smelled a little like fuel. We did the valve covers about 6 or so years ago when there was a lot of smoke coming out of it and it hasn’t happened since. We cleaned the throttle body and will replace plugs and wires later this week. No codes.

This morning I started it to move and noticed water dropping near the rear tire. There’s a hole in the muffler and it looks pretty rusted. So not sure if that was the problem, but going to probably have to get that fixed somewhere this week.

So all three of the cars will cost money this month.

View attachment 1366415

I have the same small hole in my muffler. Haven't noticed any leaks or anything coming from it. The condensate drain for the rear AC is right behind the passenger rear tire. Its not uncommon for it to belch a little at start-up. Specially in the mornings.

 

[Socalx09]

Well good news is with about the 10 minutes worth of work, you have a 100% diagnosis.

I have the same small hole in my muffler. Haven't noticed any leaks or anything coming from it. The condensate drain for the rear AC is right behind the passenger rear tire. It’s not uncommon for it to belch a little at start-up. Specially in the mornings.

The suburban didn’t want to relearn after cleaning the throttle body and driving it around town. Had to take it over to the shop for them to do it. Told them about the muffler and they said the same thing you said. Normal. So that is one less thing to worry about.

Appreciate the help with the truck. We will save up to do the truck. Didn’t think we would have to do the suspension so early on the truck. I called the dealer and they said there were no TSBs on the truck either.