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V6 Transmission knocking sound during normal driving

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klasango

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Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
1. Single strong Knock/Jerk transmission feel during long drives when transmission temperature gets above 190 F degrees. This has been an issue for a long time, I just couldn't pin point when it was happening because my daily commutes are usually 15-20 minutes, but finally I noticed this was prevalent during longer drives. This happens across 3-8 gears at low RPMs and NOT when transmission is shifting, it stays in the same gear.
To reproduce:
a. Drive for at least 45 minutes.
b. Speed does matter the main criteria is to get transmission hot. When it reaches above 190 degrees. The more warmed up it is the better chances to start reproducing. May need to stay longer
c. Then on a flat road at any speed, (I noticed it a lot during my longer drives at 60mph when I tried to simply stay at the same speed), but anything above 25 mph should do it
d. Coast for a few seconds so that rpms are low (1500-2000)
e. Normal (Gentle) tap and hold on the gas pedal as if you are trying to speed up just by a few mph.
f. Note the knock that happens (the transmission does not shift)
g. Doesn’t happen, let go of pedal and try again steps c,d,e, can do a few taps like that until you can feel the knock/jerk
 
#3 ·
On my GC I hear a faint knocking sound when the ACC is telling the vehicle to slow down.. sounds like it is coming from under the driver's floorboard.. my guess is a relay..

I have no idea if it is related to what you are hearing..
 
Discussion starter · #4 ·
yeah, it maybe coming from driver's floorboard, but it certainly noticeable although a bit difficult to describe as pattern changes or absent completely. When it does happen it's a single knock when I tap on gas pedal while going at constant speed. Gear may or may not shift.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
So, took the car to shop to take a look at this issue, it's second day in there. I am also having them to look at leather getting worn off on the driver seat already. Got a 2016 Tahoe for rental... It drives like a boat, and space wise it feels kind of small. Would never even consider this car over Durango.

I've provided the following summary of the issues:

1. Summary of the issue: The car exhibits single knock transmission feel after extended drives when transmission temperature starts getting above 160F degrees (sometimes lower, sometimes higher temp as well) At lower temps it may still be reproducible, but it would be very subtle knock. Also, it is not consistent or it needs certain combination of things to be able to reproduce (mainly combination transmission temp/longer drives and low rpm), but it has been an issue for a long time, I just couldn't pin point when it was happening because my daily commutes are usually under 15 minutes and transmission doesn’t get hot enough for this to be noticeable. It is however more prevalent during longer drives. This happens across 3-8 gears and noticeable the most between 25-60mph when the car is in high gear and low RPM (around 1500) and NOT when transmission is shifting, as it actually stays in the same gear. (Although it’s a rare thing, the same knock could happen along with transmission shifting if I attempt some quick acceleration)

Common scenario: It happens frequently after long drives when I am in traffic going 25-35 mph where you have constantly give gas with a tap or when I am cruising 60 mph and to maintain speed tap lightly gas pedal

To reproduce:

a. Drive until transmission gets really warmed up. Once it gets beyond 160F degree you may be able to start reproducing the issue, sometimes it can be at least 30 minutes, but if it’s a hot day it may be quicker, but the longer the better chances to start experiencing (try to get it all the way up to 190F if needed)

b. Then on a flat road ideally going 25-35 mph, let go of gas pedal for a few seconds to coast until rpm drops to ~1500 rpm

c. Normal (Gentle) tap and hold on the gas pedal as if you are trying to speed up just by a few mph.

d. Note the knock that happens (the transmission should not shift)

e. If it doesn’t happen, let go of pedal and try again, can try to do a few quick light taps with a small pause in between like that until you can feel the knock/jerk

I have driven a lot of cars and this is definitely not a normal behavior, my current 10 year old car (Mitsubishi Outlander with 6 speed) doesn’t exhibit this issue or the rental cars that I was getting while my Durango was in the shop did not have this issue.

2. Driver seat leather cushion is separating/cracking along the seam. Looks to be a defect. As this is not expected at this age and not a common wear and tear area.
 
Discussion starter · #7 · (Edited)
Got my car back after 3 days in the shop. I only got "couldn't reproduce this and it's a nature of 8 speed transmission"... Probably will have to do this like last time when I took it for a break booster issue first time when it happened only occasionally and they "couldn't reproduce it" until it got worse after 6 month and finally got it fixed. What I learned is that, it's really waste of time for everyone unless the issue is 99.99% reproducible. So nothing got fixed after all this time in the shop except...

...when I got home, exit the car and start walking I noticed a gash on the front corner bumper. Called dealer immediately and escalated to service manager. He asked to send him picture which I did and replied that they will take care of the issue. So that was nice that I didn't have to fight for this, but I suspect he may have thought that damage could be touched up and buffed fairly easilly. Initially I thought they dragged a tool or something, but after examining the damage in detail I noticed it appeared the damage was from hitting something with the edge. Besides the gash, the paint cracked with fine scratches which were not visible on the pictures. Of course I have dashcam which captured the entire time the car was driven and I have a video where what appears they scraped against UPS truck step bumper which sticks out. Even though they agreed to fix this, but looks like they will need to remove and repaint entire bumper now. I will update on the resolution of this.

Moral of the story. Before you accept the car from the dealer, do a walk around (just like with rental cars) and have a dashcam.
 
#8 ·
I had the same thing in my 2014 dd.
But when the shift goes from 4 to 3. Or 5 to 4 on low speed, you feel a knock sound under your feet. Its like a hit... Car was under warranty, the said its normal characteristic of the car, but i was not convinced untill.they changed the gear box(as they said) i doubt... After 6 month sound came back....
4 years with no luck at dodge service center, what they used to do each time i go for 10000 service is to reset the transmission, last for 1 week or 10 days then back again... So turn on loud music and drive :p
 
#11 ·
klasango said:
1. Single strong Knock/Jerk transmission feel during long drives when transmission temperature gets above 190 F degrees. This has been an issue for a long time, I just couldn't pin point when it was happening because my daily commutes are usually 15-20 minutes, but finally I noticed this was prevalent during longer drives. This happens across 3-8 gears at low RPMs and NOT when transmission is shifting, it stays in the same gear.
To reproduce:
a. Drive for at least 45 minutes.
b. Speed does matter the main criteria is to get transmission hot. When it reaches above 190 degrees. The more warmed up it is the better chances to start reproducing. May need to stay longer
c. Then on a flat road at any speed, (I noticed it a lot during my longer drives at 60mph when I tried to simply stay at the same speed), but anything above 25 mph should do it
d. Coast for a few seconds so that rpms are low (1500-2000)
e. Normal (Gentle) tap and hold on the gas pedal as if you are trying to speed up just by a few mph.
f. Note the knock that happens (the transmission does not shift)
g. Doesn’t happen, let go of pedal and try again steps c,d,e, can do a few taps like that until you can feel the knock/jerk
Click to expand...
Your driveshaft is bad i had the same problem and changed my driveshaft and the noise is gone
 
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Bigben
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