Slight rear-end clunk in 01' RT. Splines? etc.

[jwwiii]

Slight rear-end clunk in 01\' RT. Splines? etc.

When at slow speeds, if I (1st gear) apply slight but quick throttle, I get a very small clunk from the rear of the Viper. This is Viper #2 for me (#1 being a 98') and the dealer replaced some "splines" in that 98' that helped reduce this clunk. I believe there was a service bulletin from Viper about this clunk, and it was fixed under warranty.

Is this a sound that is common to other owners? It is not bad, but my 98' seemed to have been cured by (I believe) replacing these "splines". Does this "looseness" just seem to happen in a few cars, or is this sort of normal? My new 01' only has twenty miles on it, but I noticed this sound immediately on my drive home? When the weather gets better, I think I will have my dealer check out these splines and maybe they should be replaced. Any similar experiences? Any other logical causes I should check out?

Jim

 

[Frank 03SRT]

Re: Slight rear-end clunk in 01\' RT. Splines? etc.

Well, I was told it was normal. It happens to my 2000 all the time. It is quite noticeable, but I have ignored it since told it is no big thing.

 

[Nadine UK GTS]

Re: Slight rear-end clunk in 01\' RT. Splines? etc.

I too was concerned about that clunk, but understand that there is supposed to be a bit of play in the transmission.

I think the term is backlash or something!? (if you lye under under your Viper you can grab the aluminum prop and rock it a fraction of a turn, appears that the play is in the diff).

 

[jwwiii]

Re: Slight rear-end clunk in 01\' RT. Splines? etc.

Thanks to you folks to responding about the "clunk". Seriously, my local Viper tech did perform some work on the "splines" that really seemed to help this sound almost go away. Since this is new and improved Viper #2, I figured it would have been rectified.

Tomorrow I will check with my tech and ask him what bulletin he referred to when I complained two years ago about the sound. I will post again with details. I remember that he specifically said that it had something to do with a warranty replacement on these "splines", I think in the axle hubs. I will find out more, and I suggest you ask your dealer about getting your Vipers checked out. I am glad that others have heard this sound, and that it apparently is no big deal. Still, I would like to see if it can be reduced under warranty when the darn snow melts! Meanwhile, the 01' is really great.

Jim

 

[SoCal Rebell]

Re: Slight rear-end clunk in 01\' RT. Splines? etc.

Same as Frank, I get it all the time in my 2000 RT/10, but was told it is normal so I ignore it.