Side mirror puncture marks

[kenvw]

All those who have had their SRT-10 delivered would you please look to see if there are dent marks on the bottom outside corners of their side view mirrors(about 3/4 of the way to the outside of the bottom part of each mirror). It seems that others have this problem also. Called my dealer today and he looked at another Viper in his lot and found the same problem. It seems like a situation happening at the CAAP assembly lines. Maybe somebody at DC will read this and respond. The puncture marks look like they are being put there by a steel object as they are being installed. On one side the indentation was deep enough, and gouged to expose the black plastic.

 

[GR8_ASP]

Just checked. I have a small, relatively smooth dent or depression on each mirror. No paint cracking or anything serious (i.e. no black visible - the car is red). You can only see them when specifically looking for them. They seem very similar (size, position, etc.) so expect that they are the result of a manufacturing process. You would have to look at the mirrors before assembly at CAAP to know if they are made at CAAP or by the mirror company.

 

[wiseasp]

Yep, I have them too. The one on the drivers side is very deep exposing the black plastic , but the passenger side is small and barely visible. I went over the whole car a few days ago when I Zanio'd it and did not see it. Thanks for the info and hopefully we can find out what the hell is causing this .

ROB

 

[viper258]

Just the driver's side on mine.

 

[Tom Shapiro]

My passenger side mirror has about a 1/8 to 1/4 inch noticeable crack on the mirror support where it makes contact with the door. Looks like it was overly tightened. I notified my dealer.

 

[VNMOUS]

Mine has them as well. Definately not something anyone will see unless they are specifically looking for them.

 

[Frank 03SRT]

I got it too. Both sides, driver worse.

 

[LittleFish]

Yes, I have them on both mirrors. Paint is intact at this point.

 

[Martin Kennedy]

I just checked mine. Driver side only

 

[kenvw]

As is very evident there is a problem with the installation of these mirrors. DC hasn't responded too quickly with our concerns. Maybe my dealer(Buhler) can get to the bottom of this. I believe this is an overlook on the inspection line of the SRT/10.

 

[luv2race2]

Marks are there on mine as well! Looks like the final coat of fiberglass wasn't completly covered. But it is painted over

 

[snakebitdave]

I have them too. Drivers side is slightly indented. Passenger side has a small hole with some black plastic showing (red car). One must look very closely to see it however.

 

[knuk]

I also have it on both mirrors. Has anyone heard anything from DC yet about the problem?

 

[kenvw]

No reply from DC yet. I guess they may not want to fess up to this problem.

 

[Frank 03SRT]

Personally, I think it's a very minor problem. It's on the bottom of the mirror and nobody but mice and midgets will see it. Hel, some day the car may be worth more --- like a defective coin.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

Re: Side mirror puncture marks

Sorry I am a little late with this, as I had to go to Vegas on business (and saw 14 Vipers for rent there - but no SRT's). Anyway, I was over at Frank's lovely home this past weekend to take some pictures of his gorgeous 2001 GTS he is selling. While there, I shot some pictures of his silver SRT-10. I got this picture of his mirror, with the "dent" clearly marked:

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Now, here is my opinion, having taken a better look at these (and they are on my car as well): They are NOT a dent. I think it is safe to say that these mirrors are molded plastic. Like most molds, the plastic is probably injected or poured into the mold. My guess is that you are looking at the "top" of the mold and that the "dent" is actually the fill point, albeit poorly finished off or not "topped off". You can see the "edge" along that same spot where the plastic appears to have been smoothed over. You can also see that the hole is actually painted all the way in, which it would not have been had it happened during the assembly process at CAAP. Assuming the SRT is built like the Gen II, the body parts arrive pre-painted before assembly. Thus, the mirror "defect" is more of an imperfection in the manufacturing process. Again, my humble opinion.

And I won't tell you what happened when Frank sat in my SRT with scissors in his back pocket...

Chris

 

[GR8_ASP]

Re: Side mirror puncture marks

Ugh! Hope it did not damage the seat permanently.

 

[Frank 03SRT]

Re: Side mirror puncture marks

Since you mention the seat and scissor, I must say that a scissor certainly beats paper, or should I say leather. Nice scratch and HOLE in the suede.

After I recovered from my heart attack, with Chris and his lovely wife very calm, I promised to get it fixed. Now for you idiots what insist on carrying scissors in your rear pocket, expect to shell out a list of $1225 for JUST THE BOTTOM LEATHER AND FOAM, NOT INCLUDING THE SEAT STRUCTURE!

I was able to find a deal of a little over $900 from Woodhouse or Parts Rack. In addition, there is installation. About $170.

Chris, you will get a letter either today or tomorrow with a check for $1150 plus instruction on options. You can do with it what you want. Obviously, I don't have to tell you I'm sorry.

For the rest of you, be cautious of a possible upcoming e-bay SRT slightly used seat sale.

 

[kenvw]

Re: Side mirror puncture marks

That stinks about the scissors. Those kinds of things can just grate on your nerves and the hassles it creates. Only consolation is you are probably one of the very few who can afford a Viper and some of these expensive little mishaps.
Chris, thank you for the pic of the side mirror as they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Your camera is excellent and your picture shot was perfect. Now for a gentleman's disagreement. Just a few points to consider.
1. Being somewhat familiar with injection molded plastic I would disagree with the conclusion that the filling point for that unit would be located at that spot. First injection molded plastic parts are made up of a two die piece or two halves. The filling point would always be at an inconspicuous place at the end of the unit and in this case probably on the inside nearest where it mounts to the door. The two parts of the die close and the plastic polymer is injected into the mold. Then the two halves separate which then allows the unit to be extracted. Again with all the plastic molded items we have made for our business the point of entry for the plastic as it is being injected is always in a place were it is totally unnoticeable.
2. I would also submit that the vendor for the side mirrors would never let an obvious flaw like this out of their shop.
3. Also I am sure that the Viper staff would not except an inferior workmanship like this as it is easily avoidable.
4. Again I would say that this is happening with a tool of some sort, vise or gripper which holds the mirror as it is being attached. Or that it might happen after the mirror is attached to the door. Then as the door is being held for installation unto the body one of the holding points which would be located near the area of the side mirror puncture mark is having too much pressure applied causing an indentation and sometimes a gouge into the plastic material.
5. However, what ever the reason is I believe they should address this issue as the car is basicly flawless and I think this problem is easily fixable.

Ken

 

[Tom Friend]

Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

I looked at my mirror- same thing. Umm... except they are a very superior RED color. I could care less. If this is the biggest problem the SRT-10 has, it is a truly excellent automobile.

 

[SylvanSRT]

Re: Side mirror puncture marks

Just couldn't help myself went and looked I have impressions(scratches, gauges?) on both of my mirrors, although, the paint looks to be intact. Inconspicous but not right none the less. What is going on here. CAAP must know about this already, or at least since this thread started. I do love this car! Superior the the gen II's I've owned!

 

[Viper Wizard]

Re: Side mirror puncture marks

You want to know what that is? You remember making plastic models growing up? You had to break off the parts first from a rack of parts. OK same thing! They get twenty five mirrors at a time [on a rack]. Then they glue them on!

 

[Tony Estes]

Re: Side mirror puncture marks

Ken with all due respect Chris is right.

 

[Y2K5SRT]

Re: Side mirror puncture marks

Since you mention the seat and scissor, I must say that a scissor certainly beats paper, or should I say leather. Nice scratch and HOLE in the suede.

After I recovered from my heart attack, with Chris and his lovely wife very calm, I promised to get it fixed. Now for you idiots what insist on carrying scissors in your rear pocket, expect to shell out a list of $1225 for JUST THE BOTTOM LEATHER AND FOAM, NOT INCLUDING THE SEAT STRUCTURE!

I was able to find a deal of a little over $900 from Woodhouse or Parts Rack. In addition, there is installation. About $170.

Chris, you will get a letter either today or tomorrow with a check for $1150 plus instruction on options. You can do with it what you want. Obviously, I don't have to tell you I'm sorry.

For the rest of you, be cautious of a possible upcoming e-bay SRT slightly used seat sale.

Frank, Frank, Frank... You just wasted your postage, 'cause it is coming right back atcha! As you know, Mary and I were not the LEAST bit upset. Not even a little! We laughed about it on the way home as a matter of fact. While we are broke, we also know that a car is just a car. Yes, even a Viper. Mind you, seeing pavement go by through the hole in the seat is a little bit disconcerting, but the added breeze is nice. I fully expected you to have posted something about it in my absence, something to the effect that you are taking out your aggressions on another SRT...

Seriously, it is no big deal at all. I hope we can get that gorgeous '01 GTS of yours sold quickly, then maybe you can worry about something else!

Chris

PS. Sorry for the "hijack", but I want Frank to stop pacing the floor on my account...

 

[Frank 03SRT]

Re: Side mirror puncture marks

Frank, Frank, Frank... You just wasted your postage,

Chris, just had an idea. Don't send the check back for a while. Just thought of something.

----- Now back to your regularily scheduled puncture marks ---