Can someone tell me what this sound is?

[jimster]

I have a '94 RT-10 with 20k in mileage. When starting from a dead stop, as I let out the clutch, I can hear a slight metallic clanking sound from behind the passenger side rear tire. It seems to occur only when there's no tension in the driveline, as the car starts to move. ONce the car is moving, it stops. Any ideas what this could be?

Being the new owner of this car, I'm extrememly sensitive to every little sound it makes. I guess you can call it new-car-hypochondria. Aside from this one noise, the car runs like a champ.

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Please check your half-shaft u-joints. I found a blown one on my car a few weeks ago after it started making a clunk/clank noise. And do it soon because if you lose the integrity of one end of the shaft it will flap around a make a mess for sure, and could be dangerous if you are at speed. Here is a link to my post from earlier in the week about this:

http://vca2.viperclub.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB14&Number=481970&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

 

[PaViper]

Torque all suspension bolts to specs for starters.

 

[Russ M]

My car does the exact same thing its a 99 and has been doing it since new.

Many have told me its the drive shaft, it can only be heard in a very quiet place and only on cold start up.

 

[jimster]

Well, at least I feel better about it.

How much would it cost to replace the half-shaft u-joints?

 

[PhoenixGTS]

Well, at least I feel better about it.

How much would it cost to replace the half-shaft u-joints?

There is a "regular Viper rear end clunk" which is probably from backlash, and a "something is wrong in the back of my Viper clunk." Time will allow you to tell the difference. At wholesale price level, the U-joint and bolts and straps required to install it are around $120. BUT, my understanding is that you cannot just do it yourself (gee nothing on this car is THAT easy) as the unit has to be balanced afterward. What I did was buy a used take-off unit (1,500 miles) from a tuner who takes the stockers off to install high capacity units. Cost me $120 shipped and the unit was not even dirty.

 

[Steve Miehe]

Jimster:

Check around with some of the tuners that do mods. Often times they will remove the stock half shafts and go to unitrax shafts to handle the increased horsepower. You can usually get a fair price on take-offs from low mileage vipers. I bought a set of half shafts for my '01 viper that came off an '02 with only 18 miles on them. Deals are out there.

 

[Shelby3]

Hi Jim, As you know I drove your car the other day. I don't think the noise you are hearing is anything that you should ignore. I would take it to a dealer or mechanic without delay as you just might save some major bucks from additional damage.

 

[jimster]

Hi Jim #2,

I put the car on a lift today and saw some side-to-side movement in the right rear half-shaft u-joint where it attaches to the wheel. It's not much, but it is enough to rattle when I wiggle it around.

I spoke to Chuck Tator today and he told me how to check it. Being the new car paranoid that I am, I took it straight to a friends tire shop and put it on the lift so we could check it out. After looking it over, I feel much better knowing what it is. Just in case my diagnosis isn't correct, I'm taking it to a dealer next week and having it looked at and repaired If need be). While it's there I'm also having the dash pulled so I can get it painted. As much as I'd like to save money and pull the dash myself I'm afraid my balls aren't that big.

BTW..........Jim, thanks for the ride in your cars. It was fun : )

 

[SingleMalt]

Retorque all the rear suspension bolts (everything!). It'll fix it.

 

[Bill B]

The dash comes out with just a few screws. Pop off the radio bezel and remove all of the screws from there and the sides (behind the doors) and in the glove compartment and off it comes! It is just a cover the gauges don't come off with it.

 

[Russ M]

The dash comes out with just a few screws. Pop off the radio bezel and remove all of the screws from there and the sides (behind the doors) and in the glove compartment and off it comes! It is just a cover the gauges don't come off with it.

Am I missing something here? Why is he pulling the dash off?

 

[Shelby3]

The dash comes out with just a few screws. Pop off the radio bezel and remove all of the screws from there and the sides (behind the doors) and in the glove compartment and off it comes! It is just a cover the gauges don't come off with it.

Am I missing something here? Why is he pulling the dash off?

To get at the half shafts of course.


















Actually the dash has some scratches and would benefit from a repaint.

 

[jimster]

Bill B............if it's that easy I think I'm gonna take a stab at pulling the dash off myself.