few minor issues with my GTS

Jeffsss · Apr 20, 2011

1. passanger side hood likes to rise after every drive about 1/4"
2. passanger door sags, nothing terrible but it could be improved.
3.draws unwanted attention on the road and at gas stations.

but seriously, are there simple fixes for 1,2?

01sapphirebob · Apr 20, 2011

Jeffsss said:
1. passanger side hood likes to rise after every drive about 1/4"
2. passanger door sags, nothing terrible but it could be improved.
3.draws unwanted attention on the road and at gas stations.

but seriously, are there simple fixes for 1,2?

On number two...probably the door hinge. SHould be a simple fix. On number one...probably due to heat but I could be wrong.

VIPER GTSR 91 · Apr 20, 2011

Jeffsss said:
1. passanger side hood likes to rise after every drive about 1/4"
2. passanger door sags, nothing terrible but it could be improved.
3.draws unwanted attention on the road and at gas stations.

but seriously, are there simple fixes for 1,2?

Geeze with those choice of words I cannot believe the usual clowns have not been in yet. Door sagging is fairly common on the GTS and the usual culprit are the hinges out of alignment. Loosening, aligning and re-tightning the hinges should help.

Jeffsss · Apr 20, 2011

01sapphirebob said:
On number two...probably the door hinge. SHould be a simple fix. On number one...probably due to heat but I could be wrong.

heat? how?

TP_ GTS · Apr 20, 2011

For #1.. do a search. There is a good thread on hood alignment/adjustment,etc. One of the threads talk about checking to ensure your latches actually engage fully. I had a similiar issue and not until a month after owning it did I get tired of that hood gap and did a check. Sure enough, it was not fully latching when I closed it. I had to adjust the latch part and all is well now.

#3....Where dark shades, smile and watch out for those who like to ride on the side of you in your blind side and tail gate to get a closer look.

AbsolutHank · Apr 20, 2011

Hello Jeff...welcome aboard!

white out · Apr 21, 2011

sounds like the hood latch isn't completely engaging.

Nick

Jeffsss · Apr 21, 2011

AbsolutHank said:
Hello Jeff...welcome aboard!

hey Ryan, fancy meeting you here!

dave6666 · Apr 21, 2011

Spray the hood latches with WD40. That will solve the problem of the hood popping up.

There are several methods to adjust the door. The "towel" method was completely ineffective for me and I used a floor jack in conjunction with loosening the door hinge under the cover plate. Make a pencil mark around the hinge for reference and then loosen the hinge to chassis screws. Leave the bottom corner snug though as a pivot. Not tight, not loose. Work slowly using the floor jack to slightly raise the door and then snug the hinge screws. Check progress, repeat as needed. Finally, oil the hinge when you are done.

Jeffsss · Apr 21, 2011

dave6666 said:
Spray the hood latches with WD40. That will solve the problem of the hood popping up.

There are several methods to adjust the door. The "towel" method was completely ineffective for me and I used a floor jack in conjunction with loosening the door hinge under the cover plate. Make a pencil mark around the hinge for reference and then loosen the hinge to chassis screws. Leave the bottom corner snug though as a pivot. Not tight, not loose. Work slowly using the floor jack to slightly raise the door and then snug the hinge screws. Check progress, repeat as needed. Finally, oil the hinge when you are done.

thank you.

eucharistos · Apr 21, 2011

TP_ GTS said:
For #1.. do a search. There is a good thread on hood alignment/adjustment,etc. One of the threads talk about checking to ensure your latches actually engage fully. I had a similiar issue and not until a month after owning it did I get tired of that hood gap and did a check. Sure enough, it was not fully latching when I closed it. I had to adjust the latch part and all is well now.

#3....Where dark shades, smile and watch out for those who like to ride on the side of you in your blind side and tail gate to get a closer look.

white out said:
sounds like the hood latch isn't completely engaging.

Nick

what they said, and welcome aboard

dave6666 · Apr 21, 2011

I doubt the hood needs alignment. Just hose the latches. They get dry up there.

Please note the complaint-free content. Dave, contemporary mod-rice Viper/Ricer owner, and I approve this message.

VJR3 · Apr 21, 2011

All easy fixes, I did them both to my GTS.
#1: Hood latch needs adjustment.
#2: Door needs aligned.

Bill Pemberton Woodhouse · Apr 21, 2011

Welcome and you might state where you are from , and hopefully someone could direct you to the best qualified tech nearby.

Very good chance Dave is correct, but on some of the older cars the springs could need replacement.

JohnnyViper · Apr 21, 2011

thanks, will be doing this as a small project this weekend :2tu:

dave6666 said:
Spray the hood latches with WD40. That will solve the problem of the hood popping up.

There are several methods to adjust the door. The "towel" method was completely ineffective for me and I used a floor jack in conjunction with loosening the door hinge under the cover plate. Make a pencil mark around the hinge for reference and then loosen the hinge to chassis screws. Leave the bottom corner snug though as a pivot. Not tight, not loose. Work slowly using the floor jack to slightly raise the door and then snug the hinge screws. Check progress, repeat as needed. Finally, oil the hinge when you are done.

Jeffsss · Apr 21, 2011

Bill Pemberton Woodhouse said:
Welcome and you might state where you are from , and hopefully someone could direct you to the best qualified tech nearby.

Very good chance Dave is correct, but on some of the older cars the springs could need replacement.

Clearwater, FL

agentf1 · Apr 21, 2011

TP_ GTS said:
For #1.. do a search. There is a good thread on hood alignment/adjustment,etc. One of the threads talk about checking to ensure your latches actually engage fully. I had a similiar issue and not until a month after owning it did I get tired of that hood gap and did a check. Sure enough, it was not fully latching when I closed it. I had to adjust the latch part and all is well now.

#3....Where dark shades, smile and watch out for those who like to ride on the side of you in your blind side and tail gate to get a closer look.

Exactly, I had the same issue with my hood not latching. Adjust the stops so it latches and stays down tight. I always pull up on both sides to make sure it is latched properly.

TP_ GTS · Apr 21, 2011

Jeffsss said:
Clearwater, FL

You would not happen to have parked in the long term parking a few weeks back at the Tampa Airport would you?

Or perhaps even parked in a parking lot off Hoover & Hillsborough?

I noticed seeing a RED GTS all of a sudden a few weeks back in that area.

okloneranger · Apr 21, 2011

When I first had my car I tried to be super careful with everything I did with the car, especially closing the hood. My hood used to raise up in the front above the headlight after a drive. My problem was I was too timid and not forceful enough closing the hood. When you do the final "push" to close and latch the hood it is possible you are not forceful enough. If you have followed the tape instructions and have your hands in the proper place a fairly strong "push" will latch it completely, and you need not fear of cracking or breaking the hood as long as your hands are correctly positioned. Warning - some guys in the past have gone overboard with WD40 and sprayed the wrong places (hinges, not latches) and find their hoods don't stay open.

Jeffsss · Apr 21, 2011

TP_ GTS said:
You would not happen to have parked in the long term parking a few weeks back at the Tampa Airport would you?

Or perhaps even parked in a parking lot off Hoover & Hillsborough?

I noticed seeing a RED GTS all of a sudden a few weeks back in that area.

no wasnt me. i just got it wednesday morning.

Jeffsss · Apr 21, 2011

okloneranger said:
When I first had my car I tried to be super careful with everything I did with the car, especially closing the hood. My hood used to raise up in the front above the headlight after a drive. My problem was I was too timid and not forceful enough closing the hood. When you do the final "push" to close and latch the hood it is possible you are not forceful enough. If you have followed the tape instructions and have your hands in the proper place a fairly strong "push" will latch it completely, and you need not fear of cracking or breaking the hood as long as your hands are correctly positioned. Warning - some guys in the past have gone overboard with WD40 and sprayed the wrong places (hinges, not latches) and find their hoods don't stay open.

you were exactly right. I was being a big ***** about breaking something. sits perfect now. thank you.

gen2lover · Apr 23, 2011

what size are those door hinge screws again Dave? (02 RT10).

Merci!

LifeIsGood · Apr 23, 2011

It sounds like this a new-to-you GTS...congratulations. You'll find out that these babies are pretty easy to work on yourself. A great number of DIY opportunities. A good viper tech in your area would be a good resource, but no need to baby you viper by having any dealership do all the work for you.

hybrid1098 · Apr 26, 2011

Didnt bother to read the whole post so if it's been explained then my apologies.

I had the same issues with my hood. You are not closing it right and need to apply more pressure. Just make sure you apply pressure in the proper area or you may crack you're hood which will not be nice. You need to put you're palms in the designated place and close harder.

One thing you can do if in doubt is to pull the hood up when it is shut, if it moves up then you need to re-open the hood and re-close it with more pressure. That way it does not open slightly after a drive.

As far as you're door, I hear the door hinge's are problematic but can easily be fixed.

As far as unwanted attention, well you got a Viper!!! Even here in LA where I bump into Porsche's, Ferrari's and M6s on a daily basis with occasional Ferraris and lambos and even a Bugatti on weekends I still get the thumbs up and OMG its a viper.

few minor issues with my GTS

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