AstralRT Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 Sometimes its a very loud bang and like someone just rammed in the back of the Journey but without the actual inertia of being pushed forward. If I slowly roll through the turn I can reduce or avoid the bang altogether. I have had my mechanic comb through the rear end, change differential oil and inspect everything he can see and he was unable to find anything wrong that would cause this. Also, it just so happened that I left my car at his shop a while before he checked it and he was unable to reproduce the issue, and sure enough it went days without the issue happening and I though the new oil fixed it. It didn't. I recently had my transmission flushed from the dealer and now have new fluid and filter and its still causing the problem. I don't want to play dealer prices to have this diagnosed but I'm at a lose at this point. My mechanic did say if I can reproduce it he would take a ride with me to understand what is happening. I really should find time to go see him again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 (edited) with the flush DID you have them replace the filter with an OEM one or after market filter? Edited September 29, 2018 by 2late4u Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstralRT Posted September 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 I replaced the filter with the flush Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted September 29, 2018 Report Share Posted September 29, 2018 i am no mech but it sounds like what ever controls the fluid pressure be the torque converter or whatever. good luck and report back on what you find when you get it fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossco Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 (edited) I would have the rear suspension and subframe bushes checked out for play. Also if 4x4/rwd check the rear diff mount bushes. Is the exhaust maybe hitting the chassis or something? rossco Edited October 1, 2018 by rossco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstralRT Posted October 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 It is AWD and the rear diff was thoroughly checked. The dual exhaust seems solid and not doing any excessive movement. I was thinking about my tires though. They are pretty bald right now and I'm waiting to get new winters. Would oddly worn/bald tires affect these AWD systems enough to cause this weird behavior? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted October 1, 2018 Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 If they are different sizes, possibly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstralRT Posted October 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2018 They are the same size, but are worn slightly differently Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owlgirl Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 Hi! I’m having the same problem with the bang as you described, and this is the only info online I have been able to find, even been to 2 shops and nobody sees anything wrong. I also have a 2014 Journey. My tires are all worn different too, Did you replace the tires? Was that what was causing it? If not, did you find out what was? Any info you can share would be appreciated, I don’t know where what to do or where to go. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechanical-idiot Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 (edited) Could be this Owlgirl: Possibly the Viscous unit needs replacement if it is an AWD. Good luck with it. You can get it done cheaper by a mechanic, but I would buy the part at the dealer if I were you. You could get a used one at a salvage yard. I would't buy one on ebay. Please get back to us to let us know if this reslvled your issue. Please don't be a one post ghost. mechanical-idiot Edited May 14, 2019 by mechanical-idiot 2late4u 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owlgirl Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 I will thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechanical-idiot Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 Take the info from the clunk topic to your mechanic. Preferably a Transmission drive train mechanic at a Dodge Dealership to diagnose it. Then you can get it done anywhere. It would be nice to have it diagnosed by Dodge first. Just a suggestion. mechanical-idiot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechanical-idiot Posted May 14, 2019 Report Share Posted May 14, 2019 I would also suggest that you purchase the seals and fluid at the dealership. Don't buy that junk replacement stuff on ebay etc. You will be replacing them in a few weeks again if you do. mechanical-idiot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechanical-idiot Posted May 17, 2019 Report Share Posted May 17, 2019 Any luck with the Viscous Unit check, Owlgirl? mechanical-idiot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owlgirl Posted June 17, 2019 Report Share Posted June 17, 2019 Not yet! Replacing the tires made it much better but not fixed, taking it to a transmission shop today or tomorrow hopefully! 2late4u 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owlgirl Posted June 25, 2019 Report Share Posted June 25, 2019 They said it was the spider gears in the rear differential. I had to buy a whole new viscous coupler for 975 with labor total cost was $1497, only day one driving it so far so good but we’ll see! 2late4u 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted June 25, 2019 Report Share Posted June 25, 2019 so was that the dealership or a transmission place that you had it fixed.....in case others want to know... jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechanical-idiot Posted July 1, 2019 Report Share Posted July 1, 2019 That is a normal price for this type of repair. Five and a half hours for labor is high. My guy did mine in less than 3 hours. Your guy must be a bit slow. Some dealerships like to have their mechanics "busy" . Glad it now works for you. It is not fun having problems like this, but when you own a vehicle (any vehicle) shit happens. Best of luck with it. Keep us posted. This forum is a free educational institution for the Dodge Journey. I have learned so much from the people here. Use it as a source of information as often as you can. Thank you for your follow up with this topic. It is so nice to see people report back on what fixed their vehicle, as it ultimately helps other in the long run. mechanical-idiot 2late4u and OhareFred 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AstralRT Posted November 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 I picked up a used Viscous at the wreckers for $20 CAD and 20 mins of personal labour. I'll update once I get around to putting it on. I realize a used one like this is a gamble, but compared to the cost of new, its worth a shot. 2late4u 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armando G Posted November 29, 2019 Report Share Posted November 29, 2019 Amazing they even let it go so cheap. Good luck on the repair. Let us know how it works out. jkeaton and 2late4u 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven S Posted December 7 Report Share Posted December 7 We have had this clunk or bang noise also. We have installed a new rebuilt transmission, a rebuilt tranfer unit, new drive shaft,new tires new rear bearings and breaks. Still does it every now and then. The dodge mechanics don't hear it when we take it to the shop but it did break the end out of the transfer unit. We are thinking maybe something with the breaks now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted December 8 Report Share Posted December 8 Have been multiple people with this issue on the site. Seems to always turn up as viscous coupler worn out. Can unplug the electrical plug on rear diff, it engages the awd so triggers the bang. May get a temp dash code but if bang is gone… you need coupler. Very pricy new, so most people get a used rear diff and remove coupler for current diff. Ruduces labor substantially. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John/Horace Posted December 8 Report Share Posted December 8 Viscous coupler is bolted to front of rear diff and it is what triggers awd engagement. It can be replaced with rear diff staying in place on vehicle. LKQ sells used diffs, largest on line auto recycler network. Approx $500-600 hundred for a whole rear diff with lower milage. There are posts on this site with pics of this repair being done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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