Noise from the rear end in SRT 10

Did you have the differential fluid changed recently? Does it sound like the dif is grinding metal? If so then they did not add the (required) tiny bottle of Friction Modifier. Get them to change it again but add the Modifier this time.

If it was fine and this appeared out of nowhere, without a recent dif fluid change, then it could be a number of things.

 

Could be it needs to be service and friction modifier added. That typically fixes that issue.

 

Had the same issue with my 2004 recently. Found out I was supposed to change differential fluid and additive every 24,000 miles- mine had 27,000. After dealer changed fluid and additive, grinding noise disappeared.

 

Rear end "clunk" is pretty typical with these cars but has never really been indicative of an issue. It acts like driveline lash or something, but doesn't seem to cause any issues.

 

As has been stated, the clunk is more than likely to be the backlash adjustment. I am on my fourth Viper and I can say with reasonable certainty that Chrysler is a little bit sloppy on that adjustment at the factory. Nothing to worry about but the only way to take care of it is to take the differential out and adjusted properly.

 

If you are using a mechanic for this but you are here looking for advice to share with him, you need a new mechanic. Unfortunately I have no idea about an answer to your question, I’ve never put mine up on a rack and wiggled the wheels, it may be completely normal. Others here will likely know.

After you added the Modifier did you take it for a test drive? Is the noise still occurring?

But I’m confused. First you said the noise occurred in slow sharp turns, highly likely Friction Modifier. Then it was the noise occurred when the clutch was released. Which is it?

ETA: I think I understand what you are trying to say. When you release the clutch while making a slow sharp turn, say after backing out of a parking spot and turning tight to go, that’s when you experience the clunking sound. But if you engage the clutch while slowly moving forward in a tight turn the sound goes away, is that correct? Do yourself a favor and just change the differential fluid using MOPAR spec fluid and add the MOPAR Friction Modifier, start there.

 

I'm pretty sure that play should be normal. Most have shafts are built to have some side to side play in them for various reasons. The most likely one is think about how your suspension moves up and down. It doesn't move in a perfect arc and even if it did, the output shaft on the diff isn't the center point of that arc. The half shaft has to be able to rotate in that same arc, but will likely have to change length to be able to do that, so there is some side to side movement available in them.

 

This is classic and related to the Friction Modifier in most cases. As mentioned it was either not added at a fluid change or it just degraded over time and use. Congratulations on getting it sorted out!

Race cars? Anyway, my car has no such clunk when I engage or disengage the clutch for shifts, it is very smooth, as expected. You may have a separate issue there; motor mounts or joints are a possibility.

I get the sarcasm from a mechanic that works on European cars, no problem. That’s why I will only take my Viper to a mechanic trained to work on Vipers. And conversely I won’t take my classic Porsche to my Viper Specialist. The Viper is a Dodge in the same way a GT 40 and an AC Cobra are Fords.

 

I had that a couple years ago - intermittent grinding noise when turning - sounded ominous. Turns out it was just worn parking brake pads. Sure sounds like something grinding in the differential but it's not. Simple fix.

 

Ah, that's a really good point as well. I had the same thing happen on mine. You get just a little bit of rotor flex when turning and it's enough to hit the pads different.

 

A lot of people like to make a big deal regarding the grinding noise coming from the differential during a slow sharp turn.
Change the differential fluid and additive. That is all you need to do. It is that simple.
I just did my 2005. It had the noise and grinding big time. I just changed the fluid and the additive.
NO NOISE-NO GRINDING
I have owned 8 Corvettes for a period of 30 years. The Corvette limited slip differential does exactly the same thing.
Just change the fluid and add the additive and you are done.
The Viper "clunk" in the rear end when you let the clutch out at slow speeds is completely normal for at least the Gen III.

Fill Plug 15 ft/lbs
Drain Plugs 15 ft/lbs

 

For what it's worth, mine used to be especially "locky" in reverse in particular. On cold days when I would back out of a parking spot to leave work it would lock up and skip the tires much more.