Bought this 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 in September 2011. After about driving approx. 20k miles, I noticed a ticking sound exterior to the vehicle during deceleration or no gas pedal pressure. Most noticeable at speeds of 25 mph to 35 mph. Sounds like a card attached to a bicycle spoke. Gets even louder when it gets warmer/hotter outside. Very annoying. I have had several mechanics from different places ride along with me to give me there assessment.

A Dodge dealerships mechanic said it might be a some kind of bolt/clamp of the exhaust system that might be expanding when it gets hot, but quickly dismissed that idea as no visual or apparent degradation of bolts or clamps. The other mechanics said it might be the brakes, which was dismissed as my brake pads and calipers are in great shape. I just had the dealership change one of my valve springs and assessed all the others, still does not fix the problem. No mechanic can tell me what it is.

I'm coming to the conclusion that this is an inherit problem with the exhaust system that when the temperature rises, so does the ticking noise. Maybe a defect in the catalytic convertor or muffler. It is now June of 2017, and the ticking noise is louder and annoying but really only to me. I will proceed with investigating/researching if it is indeed the catalytic convertor and muffler suspicions.

My truck has this ticking noise that is apparent upon deceleration at 60 km/hr to 20 km/hr. If you put the truck in neutral or if the truck is in tow/haul mode, it disappears. The ticking noise sounds like how a playing card attached to a pedal bike hitting the spokes sounds. I've been to 2 different dealership service depts and the first said it was a stone in the tire. Riiight. The second dealership (where I purchased the vehicle) told me it was an exhaust clamp (I disagreed with them) they changed it anyway, and it wasn't. Next they said it was the exhaust manifold (again I disagreed) they changed both manifolds anyway, and it wasn't it.

This ticking noise has been going on since it was on factory warranty at 40000 km. It's at 140000 km now and the noise is definitely getting worse. I'm a minimum of 90 min away from the dealership I bought the truck from. Being that I'm self employed as a landscaper (summer) & traveling journeyman mechanic (winter), I bought the truck because I need a truck for work. Therefore running back and forth to a dealership to not have a fixed truck is not only disappointing it's lost wages in my lively hood. Their last statement to me was, "...well when it breaks we will know what to fix." Not a very good feeling when I live/work in the country. Not to mention it often carries my wife and small children.

Chrysler Canada is involved but I'm still no further ahead. I truly believe dealerships are lacking in knowledgeable service techs who are able to trouble shoot and use common sense. No mechanic wants to hear any advice from the vehicles owner. I just want my truck fixed!!!! Please advise me of a credible Dodge service dept.