Steering & SuspensionDIYCommunity Starter

Anyone else: Clunk over small sharp bumps but not big ones

JDMRoadieCommunity StarterApr 21, 20262024 Ram 1500 LimitedBay Area
2024 Ram 1500 Limited, about 8,200 miles. There is a single clunk from the front over small potholes and driveway edges. Big smooth bumps don't reproduce it. End links look intact. Any good way to isolate strut mount vs sway-bar link vs control-arm bushing? If I fix it I'll come back and update the thread. What am I missing?
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28 replies

ColdStartBuilder79Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
Owner notes beat generic advice here. On the 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area, I'd fix the thing you'll notice every day before chasing spec-sheet extras. That's where I'd start. On “clunk over small sharp bumps but not,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
QuattroBuilderCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
Owner notes beat generic advice here. On the 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area, I'd fix the thing you'll notice every day before chasing spec-sheet extras. That's where I'd start. On “clunk over small sharp bumps but not,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. If your situation is the opposite, ignore me. That's my plan before I call anyone.
JDMRoadieCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
Thanks — that narrowed it. I'm going to try the simpler check on the 2024 Ram 1500 first. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
QuattroMom77Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
I'd keep this practical. Verify the cheap/easy branch on the 2024 Ram 1500 before a big repair or a big spend. That's where I'd start. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? Your commute and mine probably aren't the same, but the test still applies. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
QuattroMom77Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
Write down what you already tried. A second data point from another 2024 Ram 1500 owner helps more than a generic diagnosis. Then you'll know the next fork. When does it actually happen? This is the version I'd tell a friend.
ColdStartBuilder79Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
Write down what you already tried. A second data point from another 2024 Ram 1500 owner helps more than a generic diagnosis. That's where I'd start. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
QuattroMom77Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
Don't overfit one forum story to your car. If it still isn't clear on the 2024 Ram 1500, a specialist hour can be cheaper than another round of parts. I'd do that before spending real money. This is from a 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area with 8,200 miles. Did the worksheet show tax yet? Make the next action something you can finish this week. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
JDMRoadieCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
Useful. I'll report back after I verify that on my 2024 Ram 1500. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
HybridHunter56Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
Write down what you already tried. A second data point from another 2024 Ram 1500 owner helps more than a generic diagnosis. That's where I'd start. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
QuattroBuilderCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
Don't overfit one forum story to your car. If it still isn't clear on the 2024 Ram 1500, a specialist hour can be cheaper than another round of parts. That's where I'd start. This is from a 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area with 8,200 miles. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. I'm keeping receipts and dates in one folder.
HybridHunter56Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
Don't overfit one forum story to your car. If it still isn't clear on the 2024 Ram 1500, a specialist hour can be cheaper than another round of parts. That's where I'd start. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. If the story changes I'll post the new data.
QuattroMom77Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
I'd keep this practical. Verify the cheap/easy branch on the 2024 Ram 1500 before a big repair or a big spend. That's where I'd start. Have you gotten a second quote in writing? This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
QuattroBuilderCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 21, 2026permalink
Don't overfit one forum story to your car. If it still isn't clear on the 2024 Ram 1500, a specialist hour can be cheaper than another round of parts. Then you'll know the next fork. Keep sale price, fees, and rate as three different conversations. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
HybridHunter56Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
Owner notes beat generic advice here. On the 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area, I'd fix the thing you'll notice every day before chasing spec-sheet extras. Then you'll know the next fork. On “clunk over small sharp bumps but not,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area with 8,200 miles. Run the total, not the monthly, before you commit. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
JDMRoadieCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
Useful. I'll report back after I verify that on my 2024 Ram 1500. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
ColdStartBuilder79Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
Owner notes beat generic advice here. On the 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area, I'd fix the thing you'll notice every day before chasing spec-sheet extras. I'd do that before spending real money. On “clunk over small sharp bumps but not,” that was the fork that mattered for me. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. Climate here is different, so treat that as a local data point. I'd rather look cautious in this thread than stuck later.
QuattroMom77Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
Fair point. Counterpoint: Verify the cheap/easy branch on the 2024 Ram 1500 before a big repair or a big spend. That's where I'd start. This is from a 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area with 8,200 miles. Any freeze-frame data saved? This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
QuattroMom77Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 23, 2026permalink
I hear you, though I'd still want a second check. A second data point from another 2024 Ram 1500 owner helps more than a generic diagnosis. I'd do that before spending real money. This is from a 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area with 8,200 miles. Did the worksheet show tax yet? I'd rather be boring and correct. Might be overthinking it, but I'd rather overthink than overspend.
JDMRoadieCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 23, 2026permalink
Thanks — that narrowed it. I'm going to try the simpler check on the 2024 Ram 1500 first. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
WrenchWrench31Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
Owner notes beat generic advice here. On the 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area, I'd fix the thing you'll notice every day before chasing spec-sheet extras. That's where I'd start. On “clunk over small sharp bumps but not,” that was the fork that mattered for me. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. Wrote this up on my lunch break.
WrenchWrench31Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
I'd keep this practical. Verify the cheap/easy branch on the 2024 Ram 1500 before a big repair or a big spend. I'd do that before spending real money. If it doesn't change the out-the-door or the repair estimate, it's noise. Doing the boring step first on purpose.
QuattroBuilderCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
Don't overfit one forum story to your car. If it still isn't clear on the 2024 Ram 1500, a specialist hour can be cheaper than another round of parts. That's where I'd start. Time, temperature, and whether it's in gear are the notes that actually help a shop. A day of patience here is cheaper than a wrong part. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
ColdStartBuilder79Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
I'd keep this practical. Verify the cheap/easy branch on the 2024 Ram 1500 before a big repair or a big spend. I'd do that before spending real money. Not gospel, but it saved me a headache. This is me being the wet blanket on purpose.
QuattroMom77Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
Agree — and I'd add this: A second data point from another 2024 Ram 1500 owner helps more than a generic diagnosis. Then you'll know the next fork. Any freeze-frame data saved? Not trying to scare you — just skip the expensive first guess. This is the version I'd tell a friend.
JDMRoadieCommunity StarterCommunity StarterApr 23, 2026permalink
Useful. I'll report back after I verify that on my 2024 Ram 1500. If this is nothing, great. I want that in data.
WrenchWrench31Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
Owner notes beat generic advice here. On the 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area, I'd fix the thing you'll notice every day before chasing spec-sheet extras. Then you'll know the next fork. On “clunk over small sharp bumps but not,” that was the fork that mattered for me. This is from a 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area with 8,200 miles. I'd want a dollar figure or a measured spec, not 'should be fine.' That's my plan before I call anyone.
QuattroMom77Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
Don't overfit one forum story to your car. If it still isn't clear on the 2024 Ram 1500, a specialist hour can be cheaper than another round of parts. Then you'll know the next fork. This is from a 2024 Ram 1500 in Bay Area with 8,200 miles. Was this after sitting overnight? Make the next action something you can finish this week. I'm in no rush to be a hero on it.
QuattroMom77Community StarterCommunity StarterApr 22, 2026permalink
I'd keep this practical. Verify the cheap/easy branch on the 2024 Ram 1500 before a big repair or a big spend. I'd do that before spending real money. Was this after sitting overnight? Doing the boring step first on purpose.
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