998/999 recalls questions

[Kris396ss]

I was wondering if someone could help clear some things up for me regarding the 999/998 recall, specifically for the “batwing” differential mount reinforcement. I’ve read the recall and found a few pictures but nothing that is helping me figure out exactly how the bracket is mounting to the differential mount. Also wondering if it needs to be riveted for some reason and not welded or if this were just to make it easier for dealer techs with no welding training to install?

My plan was just to weld a vertical c channel from the bottom edge of the batwing mount to the chassis , as it seems like it would accomplish what the recall bracket is but I can’t be sure until I see what the bracket is actually doing up at the batwing mounting point.

Another thing confusing me is it explicitly states in the documents these recalls are only for 99 and earlier cars, but my car is a mid model year 00 and does not have any of the reinforcements (steering rack or other differential). This is making me wonder if the issues were alleviated some other way on 00+ cars like heavier gauge steel and improved weld quality or something, or if Dodge just let a few 00’s slip through the cracks.

I included some pics I found on the internet but as you can see, none of them really do a good job and showing what is going on at the upper mount and I can’t find any pics of the bracket by itself either.

 

[daveg]

The below is according to my Documentation.

• Recall 998 affected 1996–1999 Dodge Vipers. It addressed possible cracking of the steering gear crossmember and differential mounting bracket, which could lead to loss of steering precision or vehicle control under aggressive (typically Tracking) driving conditions.
• Recall 999 affected 1999–2000 Dodge Vipers. It addressed cracking and possible separation of the steering gear crossmember from the frame, which could cause steering looseness and lag. Recall 999 did not add the rear differential bracket reinforcement.