2002 Final Edition Frame Problem?????

[DviperX]

Hi everyone I have just joined so bare with me. Has anyone felt like the frame was going to come apart when you pop the clutch hard at times? It feels like the frame is racking. I would appreciate any advice on this. A freind said that a Service Manager told him that there was some problems and that a bracket or stiffner was added to the frame. Has anyone else heard of this recall or problem.
Thanks

 

[Jeff Torrey]

Re: 2002 Limited Edition Frame

There is a recall issue for certain years. You have not specified the year or your location in your profile. Your location will determine where you bring your car for the service.

 

[C O D Y]

Re: 2002 Limited Edition Frame

The 998 and 999 recals (for the frame) are for 1996 to 2000 vipers. 2001 and 2002 have the extra gussets welded on from the factory.

Stock for stock the '01 & '02's have the stongest frames (IMO). Correctly completed recals will make the '96 - 00's just as strong.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Re: 2002 Limited Edition Frame

??? Never had that problem...?

Could you possibly be confusing wheel hop, driveline lash, or some other type of normality for something its not?

Please describe your problem as best you can, maybe we can figure it out.

 

[ViperJoe]

Re: 2002 Limited Edition Frame

Welcome to the fold!

998 recall - FRONT and REAR on cars built between 1996 - 1st March 1999

999 recall - FRONT ONLY on cars built after the 1st March 1999 to the end of 2000

 

[Nexus-6]

Re: 2002 Limited Edition Frame

I'm just guessing here...

But do you mean when you power shift 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd?

Mine breaks loose under the 1-2 upshift but MAN it shakes the car VIOLENTLY as it does so. I've always assumed that it's those huge 335s just getting grip back a little quicker than what some of the other cars are capable of...instead of scratching 2nd and spinnning it's more of a hitch in traction and the car takes the brunt of the shock.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Re: 2002 Limited Edition Frame

PS- I dont know what the weather is like where you are, but if its cold, you'll get wheel hop like a MOTHER, especially if exiting a turn. sometimes, they start spinning and you dont even know it, then if you hit an uneven patch in the road, it shakes like crazy. (or, if you are actually driving as hard as listed above, you will get a VIOLENT hop into second, third... and if your sweet enough, fourth)

 

[Nexus-6]

Re: 2002 Limited Edition Frame

Dan -

My near stock GTS is nowhere near sweet enough to scratch 4th.

Although, with cold temps and well worn rears she just may be capable....heh

 

[Tim 02 FE Viper GTS]

Re: 2002 Limited Edition Frame

I have not noticed the problem with my FE

 

[Viper Specialty]

Re: 2002 Limited Edition Frame

NEXUS- LOL, dont worry, I am not sweet enough either. However, my Vipertech could pull it off religously while driving MY car. (I was sitting shotgun) Then again, you always will drive someone elses car harder than your own.

 

[Viper Specialty]

Re: 2002 Limited Edition Frame

TIM- you guys may not have the same type of roads that we do... for exaple, I can do it HERE, but I couldnt get it to do anything like it in Canada, or even down in Nashville for example. all depends on the road compound.

 

[Kevin]

Re: 2002 Limited Edition Frame

I gave back my 00 steel gray RT10 16k kilometers (approx 9600 miles) because of a poorly built frame. after fighting in and out of court for over 3 years; my mechanic pointed out the reason for the numerous issues with the RT. I was shocked when I actually saw the poorly constructed frame anchoring this car. As per his advice I had the frame x-rayed 7 of the 11 welds tested showed gross perosity. Perosity indicates air pockets in the welds greatly reducing strength and adhesion. Visually most of the welds seemed as though they were made by an 10 year old.
I have tons of pictures. The radiologist who inspected the frame stated he sees better welding quality on a 200.00 bicycle. The dealer has stated on more than one occasion all vipers are built this way.
FYI the frame on a 00 RT10 is constucted of square tube 1/8 inch thick most sections are not larger than 2" by 4". Nothing wrong with that; if the engineering and construction is done right. However the frame strenght requires inter dependancy of all components meaning if one weld breaks the frame could disintergrate. Not a safe scenario considering the torque this vehicle is capable of. The mechanic pointed out the forward frame is being flexed together at the mounts. It appears to need some spacers installed at the mounts to hold the frame straight. the result of this flexing is under tourque the left frame section tends to straighten and the right flexes more shortening the wheel base and pulling the car to right. This at the same time causes both lower control arms to shift left causing instability in the steering as the control arms shift and return. The best kept secret at DC was the reason for the frame recalls it seems (coincidentally?) the recall gussets would reduce the control arm shift.
Food for thought; take a look at your frame before you take your next tour. I noticed the car pulling to the right, the doors worked fine on level ground however jammed when parked on a hill, The roof flew off a couple days after the dealer installed it and the softop and doors had major leaks around the seals, the rubber door seal wore a slit 8" long from the carpet rubbing against it when operating the door. If you want to know what to look for lincoln welding has a training course online which shows quite clearly what to look for to determine weld quality and causes of the poor weld quality.
Rather than fix this gross incompetence DC has decided instead to try and make the court case and consequeces if I loose more expensive than paying them a settlement and keeping quiet. In order to win I have to sue the dealer the leasing company and the manufacturer all of whom have advised me of the legal fees they will be seeking if they win. For me 20k in legal fees would get me at best 50k if I win. If I loose I owe 90k. Or I can pay 10k and settle.
At a pretrial hearing the presiding judge told them. Quote this person is exactly the reason lemon laws are written. Their respose was to make me a settlement offer if I pay them 10k they are willing to walk away from this.
My respose was if it's going to cost me 10k I'll pay it to my lawyer and take my chances. In either case they have the car and have stated their intention to resell it even after being shown the x-ray results.(buyer beware..)
My lawyer has indicated a class action suit could be a possibility here, as; if, as the dealer has stated "they are all like that" frame issues could be wide spread. I have an appointment to discuss this possibility with a law firm who specialise in class action cases. If anyone in Canada has noticed problems let me know ASAP.
The value of a Viper could drop substantially when this is brought out. Understandably the investment we all made in these cars limits what we want the world to percieve when they think about a Viper the frame recall issue started a "they have bad frames" rumor which noticable brought the resale prices down. It's not in anyones best interest to attack your own investment. however when you see the marketshare being grabbed up by the imports issues like this don't help `the Local market manufacturers credibility. Rather than do the right thing here, for whatever reason DC has decided to attack it's own customer. Throughout this last few years I have been accused of every thing short of bank robbery . my credit rating has been reduced from a near perfect to a beacon score fitting a homeless person. Why becuse I wanted what I paid for and never received. Call me stuborn or whatever but I think something wrong here puts it mildly.
don't expect the moderators will allow this post to remain in viewing distance for long however your comments positive or negative are all welcome.
Best regards; rambling...