URGENT ADVICE NEEDED

[Neil - UK]

Tom (VENOM500)a UK club guy has asked me to post this on his behalf, has anyone got an ideas what the problem could be ?



After 7 weeks got car back from Chrysler after finally getting recall work completed.Driving the car home i could hear a slight clicking coming from a wheel,later that night took out car to bed in stoptech brakes(handbrake still won't work?)after doing this notice getting a bit louder increases with speed,drove home slowly and checked all wheels(removed) and brakes in morning for anything loose, but nothing found? Took car for a very short trip(1-2 miles around town) this morning to see if i could work out where clicking noise was coming from, got about 1/4 mile up the road and gave it a squirt of power in 2 gear and as i came off the power the clicking started to turn into a rumble from the rear end, as i drove very slowly back home(5mph hazards on)the noise grew from rumble to a very metalic clanking/rattling/grinding from under diff.Got car home and into garage, if i put it in 1 gear and rock it i can hear loose rattley sound? Very upset and gutted, any ideas on what it could be? and would it be possible that Chrysler put diff back incorectly when they did mods and caused this trouble. Had a look undercar and drive joints look ok? Hope my Viper friends can help in my moment of need!Please!

[DEVILDOG]

I'm no mechanic, however, since you just got it back from Chrysler and are having this problem I would immediately notify them and return the car to be diagnosed and fixed free of charge to your satisfaction. You should also receive a complete explanation of the problem. Did they drive it while they had it...how far...how hard? Good luck and let us know about resolution.

[Joel]

First thought was a balance weight clipping the caliper, they run very close on mine, but big noise from the diff after recall, would suggest to me that one of the straps holding the universal joints on the driveshafts is loose. A real downer after 7 weeks waiting.

[Jack B]

Check the half-shaft strap bolts in addition to the drive shaft bolts. Per the manual both the straps and bolts must be replaced during this process. They can't put the rear-end in wrong, however, they could have abused it. Joel is right, what you describe could be the half shaft or drive shafts being loose within the straps. It is a little hard to get an accurate torque when tightening either one.

[HOGDEALER]

look to see if the handbrake cables got hooked up they could be just hanging there getting wrapped up in the brakes, wheels, half shafts etc... Since you have the Stop Techs.

[genXgts]

Don't discount the chance that they did not add the 4oz friction modifier on the reinstall of the diff.

After my recall my dealer "forgot" to add the modifier and it made horrific noises when the wheels were anything other than straight (half shafts turning at different rates).

If your hearing it in a straight line as well, which it sounds like it is may not be the problem but check it out anyway.

Mine sounded like sever rubbing grinding and thought also something is not installed correctly. Check with the tech to see about new straps and bolts, I had to pay for a new set above and beyond the recall as DC does not provide them in the recall, how nice.

Let us know the verdict!

[Viper Specialty]

check everything obvious in the rear first. If nothing is found, pull out the diff. I am betting on bad ring/pinion, and/or spider gears.

[Neil - UK]

After chatting to Nadine, and Tom crawling under the viper the first thing he spotted was they have re-used the old straps and bolts, and 'daylight was showing' !!!

So hopefully nothing to serious and it will be just a case of fitting some new ones.

[Steve-Indy]

Agree that NEW straps and bolts are good place to start...have personally INSISTED on these items (have taken in a bag of new bolts/straps with each Viper) with our recalled Vipers...most of the VCA members here doing the same. I HOPE that the problem is nothing more serious...please let us know.

[Neil - UK]

Tom has been in touch with the dealership who were very embrassed about the situation, they have ordered him the new parts but take 5 days to arrive for some reason. Although Nadine has come to the rescue and is sending Tom a set out of her own personal viper stores, and he should have them tomorrow. We've a drag meet this weekend and hopefully Tom will be able to race afterall, all being well.

[VIPER BAZ UK]

USAUTOMOTIVE have these in stock at the moment as well they are put by for me when i get my diff back but if Tom needs them he can have them and i will order some more not sure of price though........

[Neil - UK]

cheers Baz but I think he's sorted, just hope this the problem

[Neil - UK]

Spoke to Tom tonight, the car is back from the dealership and all is well, not using replacement straps and bolts caused this problem all the noises are now gone. These parts should be included in the 998 kit, surely ??

[JonB - PartsRack]

.....not using replacement straps and bolts caused this problem all the noises are now gone. These parts should be included in the 998 kit, surely ??

They should ALWAYS be replaced even if only 50 miles on em. Use Once.

Some dealers go the extra mile and include them but the warranty R+R does NOT include them !!

(PartsRack has made many sets avail at $49 complete set I believe....imagine all the grief he went thru becuse of a $50 shortcut?!)

[Viper Wizard]

[quote
(PartsRack has made many sets avail at $49 complete set I believe

[/quote]

How many parts are in your complete set?

I count: 12 Straps & 24 Bolts
Strap #4428723 MSRP $4.70 ea
Bolt #6502581 MSRP $2.50 ea
=$116.40

Everybody CALL jonb RIGHT NOW and buy them!!
[Maybe I'll buy a set?]