Wheel hop = Blown rear end :( Be careful

[GotAViper]

I have had my viper for 6 years. Baby it to death, barely ever stomp on the gas. Took it to the 1/4 mile track with some friends for the first time just to make 1 pass to see what she could do. Car has 19" CCW 505A wheels with 355 tires, light exhaust mods and 3.55 gears.

Took off in first gear, major wheel hop and I didnt let off the gas at first. By the time I went to switch to 2nd gear, I heard a very loud banging sound from the rear of the car. I then put it in 5th gear and coasted back to park it. Put in first gear and moved slightly forward and hear very loud banging/grinding.

Im assuming I need something like this? Mopar Performance Differential Assemblies? Mopar Performance P5007401 - Mopar Performance Differential Assemblies - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Any help would be appreciated , Not sure if its much cheaper to take it to a shop and have this fixed, I have heard stories that you need a very good professional to repair something like this? I dont know anyone in the md/dc/va area that works on Vipers. This turned into one expensive day.

 

[Viper Specialty]

I have had my viper for 6 years. Baby it to death, barely ever stomp on the gas. Took it to the 1/4 mile track with some friends for the first time just to make 1 pass to see what she could do. Car has 19" CCW 505A wheels with 355 tires, light exhaust mods and 3.55 gears.

Took off in first gear, major wheel hop and I didnt let off the gas at first. By the time I went to switch to 2nd gear, I heard a very loud banging sound from the rear of the car. I then put it in 5th gear and coasted back to park it. Put in first gear and moved slightly forward and hear very loud banging/grinding.

Im assuming I need something like this? Mopar Performance Differential Assemblies? Mopar Performance P5007401 - Mopar Performance Differential Assemblies - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Any help would be appreciated , Not sure if its much cheaper to take it to a shop and have this fixed, I have heard stories that you need a very good professional to repair something like this? I dont know anyone in the md/dc/va area that works on Vipers. This turned into one expensive day.

It is not rocket science if you have a decent shop near you that can handle Dana rears, but in general, I would advise pulling the diff and shipping it out to a place that does Viper diffs regularly.

 

[Camfab]

I'd really be amazed if you can actually order that part. As far as I know, it's been discontinued for a couple of years. It is a great rear end, let me know if they actually stock them. Wheel hop will kill just about any rear end.

 

[ROCKET62]

Bummer. You're sure it's the differential and not just a half shaft?

 

[moparracing]

Bummer. You're sure it's the differential and not just a half shaft?

wondering the same thing....

 

[dave6666]

Thank your for reminding me why I don't drag race.

There have been numerous threads on wheel hop. Poly mounts, shocks, tire selection and pressure and so on.

Sorry to hear of your misfortune, but you played, now you pay.

 

[Canyon707]

If you want bullet proof get and OS Giken from Unitrax. Also upgrade the half shafts the earlier axles are hollow (like pipe) shafts with a shear point designed into them. The newer ones are solid. You will feel the difference.

 

[dave6666]

If you want bullet proof get and OS Giken from Unitrax.

Just don't ever turn the corner. God that popping *****!!!

 

[Bandit3]

Check the hub at the outer portion of the half shaft. I twisted one in half during a drag race. Mine was on the left side. Jack up the car and take a look. Did not hurt anything else and was fairly easy to replace. Good luck, John

 

[Landman]

Save yourself some money and find a nice used low mileage rear for $500 and put it in?

 

[Landman]

I might be a little nervous about that one due to the explanation of why it was removed, but you can find great deals out there if you look around.

 

[Canyon707]

Just don't ever turn the corner. God that popping *****!!!

You got to slide around the corners. It's just clutches but, I hear you. Still I think the best and most durable Diffenential for the Viper. Ran 11.606 Left the line at 3k full twind disk clutch release no wheel spin no wheel hop just color me gone. 1.67 60' on M&H drag radials after a good staging smoking burnout. Way fun.........

 

[Landman]

That's a good 60' time. What did you hit in the 1/4?

 

[dave6666]

Shopping for a discounted rear end is up to the smart shopper in your household, but I hope the OP does not think that replacing what is broken solves his problem. The problem is you have wheel hop. It destroyed my diff (pinion bearing fretted) and it will destroy your next rear end.

The focus of this thread should be on solving wheel hop.

 

[GotAViper]

Im going to jack it up this Friday with my friend and ill let you guys know whats going on under there.

 

[Jack B]

Shopping for a discounted rear end is up to the smart shopper in your household, but I hope the OP does not think that replacing what is broken solves his problem. The problem is you have wheel hop. It destroyed my diff (pinion bearing fretted) and it will destroy your next rear end.

The focus of this thread should be on solving wheel hop.

For some reason street tires seem to wheel hop prone. The foot is the best way to control hop.

 

[dave6666]

For some reason street tires seem to wheel hop prone. The foot is the best way to control hop.

Whatever it takes. But simply replacing the broken part only sets you up for failure again. Gotta solve the root cause and if that's no more burritos before track day or smaller lead weighted shoes or less air pressure in the tires or whatever, then make the change. Or just stick to the grandstands like I do and enjoy the track dogs

 

[Landman]

I get wheel hop in my car sometimes too, but it's definitely controlled with the right foot and practice with the hole shot. I usually take off at 1600-1800rpm's even with my NITTO DR's and control the wheel spin or hop with the combo of the gas and the clutch. I run consistent 1.60 60' times and have never broken anything in my driveline.
My advice, go back to the track when it's fixed and practice, but listen to your car. Start by taking off slow and gradually increase your hole shot until you master it.
Good Luck!

 

[BigBadViper]

I busted mine this weekend, but I am launching off the 2 step around 4200 at about 12 pounds of boost. I am hitting low 1.3 60' times regularly.

 

[Jance GTS]

Newbie question. Can you explain wheel hop? I think mine has an understeer issue since I changed out my front sway bar bushings. Or it might be since I have 20's all around?

Just wondering what to look for so I don't break something. Thanks!

 

[LiquoRT/10]

Newbie question. Can you explain wheel hop? I think mine has an understeer issue since I changed out my front sway bar bushings. Or it might be since I have 20's all around?

Just wondering what to look for so I don't break something. Thanks!

About 30 seconds in you will see wheel hop.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pJ3Ob993lA[/media]

 

[Canyon707]

I hate to brake things but, thats racing.........

 

[dave6666]

I hate to brake things but, thats racing.........

So how do you stop then?

 

[dave6666]

...but it's definitely controlled with the right foot and practice with the hole shot.

I agree, but there is so much about the car parts wise that also contributes to wheel hop. I would rather know things like the motor mounts etc are good and my shocks are right, tire pressures etc, IN ADDITION to learning how to drive.

 

[Canyon707]

So how do you stop then?

Take your foot off the throttle. There's surely a lot more to wheel hop than the normal get on it and go....... Your right suspension plays a big part, the motor and tranny mounts as well, but I think practice like you say is a big factor. Independent axles are tough at best.

 

[1BADGTS]

I have had my viper for 6 years. Baby it to death, barely ever stomp on the gas. Took it to the 1/4 mile track with some friends for the first time just to make 1 pass to see what she could do. Car has 19" CCW 505A wheels with 355 tires, light exhaust mods and 3.55 gears.

Took off in first gear, major wheel hop and I didnt let off the gas at first. By the time I went to switch to 2nd gear, I heard a very loud banging sound from the rear of the car. I then put it in 5th gear and coasted back to park it. Put in first gear and moved slightly forward and hear very loud banging/grinding.

Im assuming I need something like this? Mopar Performance Differential Assemblies? Mopar Performance P5007401 - Mopar Performance Differential Assemblies - Overview - SummitRacing.com

Any help would be appreciated , Not sure if its much cheaper to take it to a shop and have this fixed, I have heard stories that you need a very good professional to repair something like this? I dont know anyone in the md/dc/va area that works on Vipers. This turned into one expensive day.

Thats racing if your running stock tires and want to upgrade your half shafts ect thats fine BEWARE THOUGH if you start messing with slicks the traction they provide will (sooner or later )destroy the weakeat link in the driveline .Upgrade the halfshafts the rear will go .Upgrade the rear and shafts the tranny will go .IRS cars and 1.3 60 foot times are a disaster waiting to happen Just so you know what your in for.

 

[dave6666]

I hate to brake things but, thats racing.........

So how do you stop then?

Take your foot off the throttle.

I was making fun of your spelling sir.

 

[dragon rider]

Thats racing if your running stock tires and want to upgrade your half shafts ect thats fine BEWARE THOUGH if you start messing with slicks the traction they provide will (sooner or later )destroy the weakeat link in the driveline .Upgrade the halfshafts the rear will go .Upgrade the rear and shafts the tranny will go .IRS cars and 1.3 60 foot times are a disaster waiting to happen Just so you know what your in for.

So true. I can't afford to tear up the tranny and diff, but I can swing a half shaft when it does happen. I've been lucky so far, nothing has broke yet, that's why I stick with PS2's. The tires are the weakest link in the drive train.

 

[Canyon707]

I was making fun of your spelling sir.

Dave I just noticed it Thanks LOL

 

[1BADGTS]

So true. I can't afford to tear up the tranny and diff, but I can swing a half shaft when it does happen. I've been lucky so far, nothing has broke yet, that's why I stick with PS2's. The tires are the weakest link in the drive train.

ExactlyI learned watching Don Nace destroy 2-3 rears and trannys per race season .LOL the halfshafts never broke though .