Try this:
Dan said in this post:
http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Board=UBB21&Number=406393&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&vc=1
VIPER SRT- PLEASE CHECK THAT AGAIN! I dont want anyone to see that and snap off the bolt! If your manual states that, it is WRONG. I have a 2004 manual in my hands, and it says 130 ft/lbs. As well, the 04-006 "recall" states 130 ft lbs.
It just wouldnt make sense- the damper bolt on Gen-2's is about 1-1/4", and IS 250 ft/lb's, the damper bolt on gen-3's is considerably smaller at only 13/16" (head size of course... dont know the thread sizes off the top of my head, but it will follow the same pattern) In a nutshell, you would never see a 6-Pt. 13/16 bolt with a 250 ft/lbs Tq spec, it is not large enough to handle the Tq without being either a 12 Pt. design, or a different material. Check your bolt size... unless they had an EARLY run of gen-2 sized damper bolts or something... it is a typo.
You may want to update your manual if it says that... it is not uncommon for first year manuals to have typos, as much of the material is carry-over from the 2002 manual. I have still found mistakes in the 2004 manual, but that is not one of them anymore.
PS- yes you can tighten the bolt without removing anything. on a lift is easiest, or simply use a 25-250 Ft-Lbs Tq wrench and a normal 1/2" drive 13/16" socket. position the Tq wrench between the passenger fender and the airbox. put car in 4th and make sure parking brake is set. Be careful not to grab anything other than the frame/cross member/inner tire to get leverage while tightening... would make for a bad day if you yanked the fender off the car!!! LOL
and GR8 ASP said: "Okay, just got back from a quick evaluation.
First, my 2003 has a 1 1/4 inch flat to flat headed bolt. So there is a difference (versus the 13/16 inch Daniel indicated above).
Second, and possibly more important, it had less than 50 ft-lb of breakaway torque (tightening direction). That is quite low no matter which torque spec is correct.
Third, can we get a definitive statement on the torque specification. My 2003 manual states 250 ft-lbs and Daniel's 2004 states 130 ft-lbs. What is correct?
Due to the question I only tightened it to 130 ft-lbs. Plus I do not have a torque wrench capable of 250 "
and Dan said: "
Viper SRT- looks like there may have actually been a run of early 1-1/4" bolts! if thats the case, it appears your manual is correct... as strange as it is. anyone else out there with a later 2003 that can check this...? interesting to see if it is a change from 2003-2004, or if it is a mid-year 2003 change.
Kinda weird though... as the gen-2 cars had some problems with the damper bolts being/coming loose... and their solution was to go with a smaller bolt...!?!?
I actually just pulled mine off... I had a full Tq of 130 Ft/lbs on mine, so that is some good news! (MDH 0206**)
It appears that SOME engineeing may have gone into this new bolt... the bolt is long and skinnier in the center, such bolts are used for their "spring" effect, which keeps things from comming loose even under vibration. LOL...either that or the other end of the spectrum, idiotic move with it coincidentally looking like they had a clue what they were doing!
Only way to know for sure is to measure the thread size, not the bolt size, compared to a Gen-2. if the bolt itself is the size of a gen-2 all the way, then 250 it is. if it is the same side threads as the 13/16's bolt, then it is simply a bigger head on the same threads.
Viper SRT- when you get a chance, pull your damper bolt out and measure the diameter of the threads on it. I will do the same in a few minutes and post the results. lets figure this out... "
and Dan noted: "Viper SRT- My Damper bolt is 9/16" Major Diameter on the threaded section. Yours...? "
and GR8 ASP noted: " Confirmed. The 2003 SRT damper bolt is the same as the Gen II (250 ft-lb spec as well). 2004 is new and common with the 5.7L HEMI. Not sure of the sizes.
This really lets me know that having the correct year service manual is very important."
HOPE THIS HELPS !!!
