NUMBER:
GROUP:
DATE:

03-004-22
03 - Differential and Driveline
August 4, 2022

This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without written permission of FCA US LLC.

SUBJECT:
Rear Propshaft Clunk
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves removing the rear driveshaft and greasing the slip yoke splines.
MODELS:
2021 - 2022

(DT)

RAM 1500 Pickup

NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles within the following markets/countries: North
America, LATAM, APAC and EMEA.
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles built on or before February 21, 2022 (MDH0221XX)
equipped with the 6.2L V8 Supercharged Engine (Sales Code ESD).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may describe the following:
• A clunk noise from the driveshaft while coming to a stop or when just starting to tip into throttle
at take off.
DIAGNOSIS:
If the customer describes the symptom/condition listed above perform the Repair Procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty.

Part No.

Description

1 (AR)

68597433AA

Drive Shaft Boot Kit - Includes Boot, Grease, Clamps,
and eight attaching bolts.

REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Test drive vehicle to confirm the symptom. To isolate the concern: Shift the transmission to
manual mode/first gear when coming to a stop. In first gear, while coasting down to a stop, if
clunk is still present, transmission coastdown is eliminated and propshaft is confirmed as
the issue.
2. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to the detailed service procedures available in
DealerCONNECT> Service Library under: Service Info> 04 - Vehicle Quick Reference/Hoisting/
Standard Procedure.
3. Verify the part number on the Driveshaft label. Is the number on driveshaft label: 53011135AC,
53011135AD, or 53011135AE?
• YES>>> Proceed to Step 4.
• NO>>> This Bulletin does not apply. Normal diagnosis should be performed.

03-004-22

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4. Mark the yoke and sleeve with a paint pen to indicate original spline installation alignment.
5. Mark the front driveshaft flange to the transfer case mating flange to keep the installation
position the same after servicing is completed.
6. Mark the driveshaft flange and rear axle flange with a paint pen to indicate original installation
alignment.
7. Remove the driveshaft from the vehicle. Refer to the detailed service procedures available in
DealerCONNECT> Service Library under: Service Info> 03 - Differential and Driveline/
Driveshaft/Shaft, Drive, Rear/Removal and Installation for bolt torque specification. Discard the
removed Driveshaft to Transfer Case Bolts and Driveshaft to Rear Axle Flange Bolts.
CAUTION! Driveshaft removal is a two-person operation. Never allow the driveshaft to hang
from the center bearing, or while only connected to the transmission or rear axle flanges. An
assistant is required. If a driveshaft section is hung unsupported, damage may occur to the
shaft, joint and center bearing from over-angulation. This may result in driveline vibrations
or component failure.
CAUTION! Do not clean the spline or utilize any grease other than supplied in the service kit.
Contamination with solvents, debris or unapproved lubricants could permanently damage
the spline.
8. Remove large and small boot clamp from boot seal & pull boot off spline sleeve and separate
the two parts of the driveshaft. Remove and discard boot. (new boot included in 68597433AA
kit).
9. Apply the full contents of the service kit grease tube to exposed INTERNAL spline cavity on the
main body of the driveshaft. Apply grease 360° around inside perimeter of internal spline cavity,
approximately one inch deep.
• Protect exposed spline surfaces from contamination during the greasing procedure.
NOTE: Do NOT apply grease to the externally splined yoke (transfer case end).
• Application of grease to the front portion of the internal spline cavity is sufficient. The grease
will distribute across the length of the spline during reassembly.
10. Place a new boot and small clamp from the service kit over the yoke end shaft and clamp in
same position as before removal. Place large clamp (supplied in kit) loosely over boot on tube
end - Do not secure clamp yet.
11. Reassemble the main body of the driveshaft to the yoke and boot assembly, aligning the spline
according to the marks applied in Step 4.
CAUTION! The spline will only reassemble freely in the original spline orientation. Do not
force assembly with the spline out of rotational alignment. Misaligned assembly will result in
noise or vibration.
12. Securely crimp the large boot clamp placed in Step 10 with suitable ear clamp crimping tool.
13. Reinstall driveshaft into vehicle. Use new bolts and align to the marks made in Step 4 and
Step 5. Refer to the detailed service procedures available in DealerCONNECT> Service
Library under: Service Info> 03 - Differential and Driveline/Driveshaft/Shaft, Drive, Rear/
Removal and Installation for bolt torque specification.
14. Remove vehicle from lift and test drive to confirm repair.
POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.

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03-004-22

TIME ALLOWANCE:
Labor Operation No:
16-30-01-9A

Description
Rear Driveshaft, Remove,
lube splines and replace boot
(1 - Semi-Skilled)

FAILURE CODE:
CC

Customer Concern

Skill Category
Amount
3 - Differential and Drive- 1.10 Hrs.
line