Clutch/transmission grinding

[FastestBusaAround]

Got my 08 Vert yesterday and drove it over 600 miles...what an awesome ride! I have noticed an issue though and was wondering (after having done a lot of research here) if there's something I'm either doing wrong, or could do differently.

So here it is -

I noticed while downshifting (from 6th to 5th) a few times, grinding from the transmission. I figured it's probably just me not depressing the pedal fully to the end of its travel, so I paid closer attention to it and this is what I noticed:

1) Even while fully depressed down to the floor and then some - I get a grind once in a while, only while downshifting, from what I remember.

2) Clutch engages very low and close to the floor (an inch away or so)...which seems a bit unusual, but, I have the pedals all the way back as far as can go, as I'm 6'2"...so, could that be part of the clutch engagement issue? I didn't even think of bringing the pedals further forward until I read a few posts on the site.

3) I also noticed that it's tough to get it into gear while at a stop, and I'm thinking it's about the fact that the pedal engages too low.

I have less issue getting it into reverse, but the grinding thing I know will become an issue if I can't get it addressed quickly. The car is being plated in Canada imported from the US and I'm going to lose the warranty, so I'd like to try and nail this down ASAP. I hate the grinding sound...

I understand that this isn't a very civil car and requires more driver input and attention to drive it without killing oneself, but this seems a bit unusual to me, nevertheless.

 

[ViperGTS]

 

[Fatboy 18]

That's not right, get it to a Tech ASAP Hows the clutch fluid level? have you had to top it up?

 

[FastestBusaAround]

Fluids are fine and the car only had less than a few hundred miles on it. Car is at the border in the US waiting to clear so I can get her into Canada this week, but I'll post in a few days. I still wonder if it's to do with the fact that the pedals are all the way back...anyone else notice this?

 

[RobZilla]

Adjust the pedals to allow them further depression. This should not be an issue with a new car.

 

[FastestBusaAround]

Ya, that's my first thought, and if that works, I'll figure out how to mod only the clutch pedal so I can keep the rest further back. I'm guessing there's no other adjustment one can do on the clutch, from what I've read here.

 

[RTTTTed]

Just ask for the clutch pedal to be adjusted properly. Normall, there will be about an inch of "freeplay" at the top of the pedal travel although less is OK as well. Definitely sounds like the pedal is adjusted wrong. The "hard to get in first gear" when stopped is because of the synchros which rev doesn't have. Should only take about 10 minutes to adjust the pedal.

Ted

 

[FastestBusaAround]

Is there actually an adjustment for the pedal? I've read there isn't, on these boards..

 

[RTTTTed]

Is there actually an adjustment for the pedal? I've read there isn't, on these boards..

I went out and looked at my pedals. I hope there is no adjustment because I can't see it and image that it would be nearly impossible to reach. I couldn't find my shop manual and can't tell you what it says either. I have a new clutch to instal in my car in a couple months so I'll have to find out the hard way. Hopefully the adjustment is on the slave cylinder. But 2000_Black_RT10 just did some slave clutch lines on his car, I'll send him a PM and see what he knows.

Unfortunately, I can't help you right now though, sorry.

Ted

 

[FastestBusaAround]

Thanks for your efforts!

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

Hi guys, the clutch (pedal height) adjustment is in the pedal linkage, here's an under dash pic, clutch pedal on the left, multiple links and the adjustment is dialed on the aluminum part with the groove on my 2000 RT/10.

[media]http://www.wincom.net/mnllehti/Clutch_Adjustment_Pedals.jpg[/media]

There's also been trouble with the slaves, in this post.. same design as on our cars.

http://forums.viperclub.org/grail-t...-2008-vipers-need-help-find-cause-photos.html

It kind of sounds like there is air in the clutch line having to depress the pedal so far and grinding and poor engagement at a stop is a similar symptom to air in the line. How dirty is the clutch fluid? Is the fluid level low indicating a leak at the slave, dripping from the transmission bellhousing?

Regards,
Mike

 

[Steve-Indy]

CONGRATS on your new Viper!!!

Our 08 clutch engages about half way out...and, as has been posted, that seems different to me when compared to our other Vipers. So far, however, no issues at about 1200 miles.

If you are anywhere near Mr. Tator...take the car to him !!!!

P.S. Read your e-mail.

 

[RTTTTed]

Thanks 2000_Black_RT10 Mike!

Ted

 

[ViperGeorge]

The Gen 4s have had issues with improperly bled clutches. Happened to me with only 500 miles on the car. Had my Viper Tech bleed the clutch and change to DOT 4 fluid. No issues since. If the pedal is engaging low like you describe it sounds like the same problem I had. The clutch would not fully engage and caused grinding. Try pumping the clutch pedal and see if that returns pedal to a higher level. If it does then you definitely have the same bleeding issue as other Gen 4s. Bleed the clutch and use DOT 4 fluid.

 

[Steve-Indy]

Just for the record...Vipers have used DOT 4 brake fluid for at least 10 years!

However, the cap on our 08 does say DOT 3....so, maybe I'll just sort this out by sending a clutch fluid sample to Blackstone Labs.

Fluid type aside, bleeding a clutch-in-question thoroughly and carefully would not hurt.

 

[Steve-Indy]

By the way, our 99, 01, and 03 Vipers ALL have clutch fluid caps that say "DOT 3"...along with the 08 Viper mentioned above.

 

[ViperGeorge]

Just for the record...Vipers have used DOT 4 brake fluid for at least 10 years!

However, the cap on our 08 does say DOT 3....so, maybe I'll just sort this out by sending a clutch fluid sample to Blackstone Labs.

Fluid type aside, bleeding a clutch-in-question thoroughly and carefully would not hurt.

The cap on my 06 says DOT 4 I think (the car's not here or I'd check) but the cap on my 08 says DOT 3 for sure. Factory Techs told my Viper tech that they used DOT 3 at the factory but told him to use DOT 4. Not sure if they used DOT 3 at the factory by mistake or on purpose.