Sketchy freeway driving

nismoflip

Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 21, 2019
Posts
23
Reaction score
3
Location
Union ci
My Gen 1 that I’ve owned for 3 years has always been sketchy driving on the freeway. Seems to do okay on surface streets. It’s hard to describe other than it seems like the car wants to track with the ruts on the freeway and the steering wheel feels damped and vague (not connected). I’ve got new Bc coilovers, solid aluminum steering rack bushings, new wheels and tires. Before the above new parts, same thing. Felt skecthy on freeway. Car has 50k miles on it. Factory rubber bushings and I noticed the endlink boots are toast. Don’t know how to source new boots. Going to bring to viper tech soon. Just wondering if I can take a look myself.
 

GTS Dean

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 22, 2000
Posts
3,780
Reaction score
204
Location
New Braunfels, Texas
I would reccommend you buy and install some new inner tie rods. Same part number all around. Depending on what your ride heights are, you may need to bump-steer the car and bring those curves into spec. Unless you own, or have access to the caster inclinometers, I can almost GUARANTEE that your back end is not anywhere near spec of -6 degrees caster on both sides. Ballasting per the Service Manual and retorquing all suspension bushings will make a HUGE difference in handling.
 

Steve M

Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 29, 2011
Posts
1,069
Reaction score
194
Location
Dayton, OH
Rebuilt my Gen 3/4 end links with torn boots - used these polyurethane replacement boots: https://www.ebay.com/itm/221486557923

Went from this:

You must be registered for see images attach


To this:

You must be registered for see images attach


Those were the rears...did the same with the fronts, minus stripping and repainting.

If someone can verify the Gen 1s will take a similar size boot, those may work. That same distributor offers many different sizes...that one just happens to be perfect for the later Gen Viper links.
 

MoparMap

VCA National President
VCA Officer
Joined
Jan 7, 2013
Posts
2,439
Reaction score
272
Location
Kansas
Tracking with ruts on the freeway is pretty much par for the course with any Viper. The wide tires have a lot to do with that from what I understand, but the vague steering does sound like an issue. Alignments can do a lot to make a car feel different as well. Doesn't take much to make a car feel darty or lazy. I would assume you've had it checked since you did all the work replacing stuff, but might be something to look into.
 
OP
OP
N

nismoflip

Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 21, 2019
Posts
23
Reaction score
3
Location
Union ci
Thanks all. I’ve ordered the inner tie rods and will be looking to get those endlink boots replaced. And of course the wheel alignment. Will post back on results.
 

Sniper

Enthusiast
Joined
May 2, 2001
Posts
953
Reaction score
21
Location
Viper City, Iowa
I know my Gen 1 was very darty on the highway especially at higher speeds. Seemed very unstable. Put a rear spoiler and front splitter on the car and was a totally different car at speeds, very stable.
 

InTheZoneAC

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 24, 2016
Posts
46
Reaction score
6
Get each wheel off the ground. Grab each at 3 and 9, then shake side to side to feel for any play or clicking sound. If there is any, replace them.
This 100% + proper alignment, proper tire pressure + no uneven wear on tires. I would also avoid polyurethane suspension components and stick to rubber or hardened rubber
 
OP
OP
N

nismoflip

Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 21, 2019
Posts
23
Reaction score
3
Location
Union ci
Just an update on this. One of the inner tie rods was toast. Bellows was torn, gunk what looked like metal shavings mixed with grease and dirt was all over ball, and tons of play. Not so much the other side but replaced anyways of course. Took it to Viper shop for alignment. Everything all good now. Much more confident driving at high speeds.

While I was at it, did IPSCO short shifter and bushing, new transmission mount, as well as 3.54 gears. Such a beast.

Many thanks for above info.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
153,139
Posts
1,681,566
Members
17,640
Latest member
SDViper
Top