2004 crank damper bolt 1200 mile car

[wikkid]

Completely loose. I wil tighten tomorrow to 130lbs. How do you guys hold the pulley when you torque?
Thanks Mark Jorgenson

 

[LifeIsGood]

I did a search for you...I wanted to see how it worked with the new forum software...here's a few places to start...

Crankshaft damper bolt

Crankshaft Damper Bolt?

Bad Vibration

crank bolt loose.... again??

 

[bluesrt]

uhhhh you need to use a small amount of locktight on those threads

 

[Flexx91]

Just for sanity purposes, check the build date (build date is on driver's door area) of your car and let us know if was before 02/04.

 

[wikkid]

Torqued it down today, with some licorice. Someone was sleeping when they put this car together, that's all I'm gonna say. Quality control was no where to be seen.

 

[Black Moon]

Its good to locktite the bolt and behind the washer as well.

 

[wikkid]

Its good to locktite the bolt and behind the washer as well.

Yep Sal, that bolt isn't moving for a longtime, I hope

 

[Flexx91]

Torqued it down today, with some licorice. Someone was sleeping when they put this car together, that's all I'm gonna say. Quality control was no where to be seen.

This is a known issue in some of the '03's and '04's (built prior to 02/04). The reason why I asked you to check the build date. A TSB was issued against this problem so whomever owned your car previously failed to address the TSB or maybe something else is going on. The service records should indicate if the TSB was previously addressed.

 

[AZTVR]

Torqued it down today, with some licorice. Someone was sleeping when they put this car together, that's all I'm gonna say. Quality control was no where to be seen.

So, you think that the guy that assembled your engine was asleep at the wrench ? !!!! If that's the case, then, for your peace of mind, perhaps you should drop your oil pan and check the torque on the rod and main bearing caps !!! Also remove the valve covers and check the torque on the rocker arm hold down fasteners.

 

[wikkid]

The car did not fall in the area you mentioned. Dealer checked it for me. Someone just probably missed one, is all I can say. And speeking to the Wizard confirms that this was pretty common in 04. I drove the car 300 miles, no vibration, nothing. Ran smooth as silk. Even got on it a couple times. Just thank God I checked the bolt.

 

[swexlin]

This is a known issue in some of the '03's and '04's (built prior to 02/04). The reason why I asked you to check the build date. A TSB was issued against this problem so whomever owned your car previously failed to address the TSB or maybe something else is going on. The service records should indicate if the TSB was previously addressed.

Actually, it was all 04s, and early 05s I believe. According to (I think) one of Steve-Indy's old threads the 2003, late 2005, and 2006 bolts are the same part number, while the 04s and early 05s are the problem children. Someone else chime in and correct me if I'm wrong. Here's the quote I found searching (look especially at the part numbers; 03, later 05 and 06 are the same):

ALL Vipers EXCEPT the 2004 and maybe some EARLY 2005's have a "big dog" of a crankdamper bolt...that should be checked periodically, especially if running high HP. For whatever reason, 2004's and MAYBE some early 2005's have a "teeny weeney" sized crankdamper bolt, which was torqued to MUCH lower specs...and, in my opinion (as well as that of several of the better known Viper Techs' opinion) was prone to getting loose with potentially disasterous results. There IS a fix...but I personally worry about the loose ones that were "owner-fixed" as well due to their potential propensity to "rear the ugly head" of delayed failure down the road as it is hard to estimate likelihood of damage from the harmonics that could have been unleashed. For bolt specifics, see my post below:

"Actually, the search key reveals a lot:

From this thread in which Dan lays out the problem: " Re: My Crankshaft Damper Bolt was falling out. "

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/sho...mp;o=&vc=1

The Text in part that I posted says: "Earlier in this thread I posted:

" You decide..."the year MAY matter"...

03 Manual says "250 ft-lbs"

04 Manual says "130 ft-lbs"

05 Manual says "130 ft-lbs"
---------------------------------------

Now (thanks to Tim in Parts at Indy's Champion Dodge) here more info taken straight from the Dodge computer (with a little extra effort).

Crankshaft Damper Bolts:

2003 part number 6036207AA size 0.75x16x2.250 (inches)

2004 part number 6506340AA size M14x1.5x102.0 (metric)

2005 part number 6506340AA size M14x1.5x102.0 (metric)

2005 part number 6036207AA size 0.75x16x2.250 (inches)

2006 part number 6036207AA size 0.75x16x2.250 (inches)

LOOKS TO ME AS THOUGH THERE WAS A RUNNING CHANGE SOMETIME IN THE 2005 MODEL YEAR.

By the way, I have ordered one

 

[Flexx91]

Actually, it was all 04s, and early 05s I believe. According to (I think) one of Steve-Indy's old threads the 2003, late 2005, and 2006 bolts are the same part number, while the 04s and early 05s are the problem children. Someone else chime in and correct me if I'm wrong. Here's the quote I found searching (look especially at the part numbers; 03, later 05 and 06 are the same):

04's up to the 01/31/04 build date with a "Z" or "H" in the 8th VIN position . Only covered cars up to this date per notification no. D19 (service action #04-006). Did not include any '05's or '06's.

 

[swexlin]

04's up to the 01/31/04 build date with a "Z" or "H" in the 8th VIN position . Only covered cars up to this date per notification no. D19 (service action #04-006). Did not include any '05's or '06's.

Not to quibble, but maybe this was just what the TSB covered, and not the entire run of cars affected? It's pretty obvious from Steve-Indy's research above where the issue actually lies. Not trying to be a PITA, just trying to clarify. The reason is is my 2003 (May 2003 build date) might be covered under that TSB (Z in the 8th position), but from Steve-Indy's post, it seems 03s didn't have the issue. I don't think mine does (and by 26,000 miles and 3 owners it would have been caught).

 

[wikkid]

Either way if out or warranty, I. Don't thing tsb's are covered. Only recalls. I could be wrong, but don't think so.

 

[swexlin]

That is correct sir. As I said, no matter what a TSB covered, it is evident from searches around this forum that the affected cars are all or most 2004s, and some early 2005s. I've been through this with issues on both my Cummins Ram and my 07 SRT8, both of which were affected by "common" issues by build date that weren't covered under TSB for those issues!

Steve-Indy is pretty thorough, and the quote and research I posted above is pretty detailed about the years and part numbers affected.

 

[PootyP]

Have my car in shop now for spun bearings and by reading this site i saw about this issue and asked my guy to check it.... he said good find, it was loose .... locktite it and retightened it... still waitin on my car back... been 3 weeks... hes supposed to break it in this weekend for me... cant wait

 

[PootyP]

OH PS i have an 04'

 

[Bill Pemberton Woodhouse]

What do you mean break it in for you????? Seems like that is something you could be doing.

 

[swexlin]

Hey Bill, perhaps you could also clarify the run of cars affected by the crank bolt issue?

 

[Steve-Indy]

I am sure the small bolt came on all 2004's...but I really cannot say anything about the EARLY 2005's, as I only know what was speculated upon by trusted Viper Techs and the listing in the 2005 parts manual at that time.

That said, when it comes down to one individual Viper...just reach down and size the hex-head on the crank damper bolt YOURSELF...if it takes a 1 & 1/4 inch socket, it's the BIG, STRONG bolt...if it takes 13/16 inch six-sided socket it's the "teenie ******"...torque as outlined above (250 ft-lbs if BIG and 130 ft-lbs if "teenie ******").
As I have stated before...MY worry is not how to re-torque the loose 2004's (or any other damper bolt)...but what damage was done while the damper bolt was loose??!!!!! Scary stuff when one looks at the damage that has been observed on the crankshaft in some cases !!

And, just for the record...we should ALL check these bolts regularly on ALL years of Vipers...which I was/am doing...and STILL, that sly fox Tom Sessions found one of our Vipers with a "somewhat under-torqued" damper bolt !!!

 

[swexlin]

I am sure the small bolt came on all 2004's...but I really cannot say anything about the EARLY 2005's, as I only know what was speculated upon by trusted Viper Techs and the listing in the 2005 parts manual at that time.

That said, when it comes down to one individual Viper...just reach down and size the hex-head on the crank damper bolt YOURSELF...if it takes a 1 & 1/4 inch socket, it's the BIG, STRONG bolt...if it takes 13/16 inch six-sided socket it's the "teenie ******"...torque as outlined above (250 ft-lbs if BIG and 130 ft-lbs if "teenie ******").
As I have stated before...MY worry is not how to re-torque the loose 2004's (or any other damper bolt)...but what damage was done while the damper bolt was loose??!!!!! Scary stuff when one looks at the damage that has been observed on the crankshaft in some cases !!

And, just for the record...we should ALL check these bolts regularly on ALL years of Vipers...which I was/am doing...and STILL, that sly fox Tom Sessions found one of our Vipers with a "somewhat under-torqued" damper bolt !!!

Thanks Steve, good information to know.

 

[PootyP]

Well i guess i could if i had any disapline, but i dont.... first time im driving it "breakin it in" and i see a sports car im hitting red line... he knows this so he will be putting the first 100 or so miles on the car

 

[JAY]

Wow my production date is 04/02 , Glad to know I missed that production run

 

[Steve-Indy]

I think a point is being missed here...EVERYONE should check the crankshaft damper bolt from time to time on an engine that makes as much torque/HP as a Viper makes...regardless of the damper bolt size. There are plenty of unmodified, "big damper bolt" Vipers that have been noted as having a loose crank bolt found incidentally by an observant Tech.

Jay...have you actually checked the SIZE of the bolt on your Viper ??

 

[JAY]

Thanx Steve for the heads up, its tight and 13/16" with a 02/04 production .
You make a good point. Cheers Jay