Two months into GTS ownership, a few questions

[fervor]

First of all, the GTS is a *great* car. I bought a 97 b/w GTS at the beginning of September and have been having a blast with it. Had a close call my second day when doing some spirited driving, but wrote that off as lucky that I only dinged up a wheel and had to get the car aligned. The original Pilots are gone now and better rubber is on the car.

I have noticed a couple of things that I'm hoping someone here might shed some light on:

1) Where does one find a stock shift handle replacement? My car has only 17K on it, but the pattern on the shift knob is worn and I'd love to replace it. I've heard of the MGW stuff, but I'd prefer to keep it stock.
2) The rear window rattles. If I put my hand on it while driving it will stop, so I'm assuming it's just not latching down tight enough. I've heard that you can adjust the latch, but am looking for hopefully something more specific.
3) The drivers side door was making a sort of 'scratchy' sound the other day when opening it. I poked around and noticed a piece of flat black coated (greasy?) metal, about a half inch by about an inch and a half caught below the lower hinge. It was floating freely in there, and I removed it and kept it in hopes of finding where it came from. Anyone else ever hear of anything like that? (I know that's a longshot but at a glance I saw no evidence of where it came from).

Thanks in advance.

-bob

 

[98MODMTR]

The car will rattle, shake, and make scratching sounds no matter. Some of the finer things the Gen I & IIs were made to do!

 

[01sapphireGTS]

Call Chuck Tator at 914-763-3136 for the stock shift handle.

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

The small greasy piece of metal was from the hinge. The same thing happened to my 98 about 40,000 miles ago. I saved it too but it doesn't appear that I need it. I think it just holds the door open.

Hinge replacement is expensive. Call Tator for a price.

 

[DEADEYE]

My rear hach does the same thing. I've found that the piece where the hydraulic support is glued to the window is becoming unglued. That might be the problem.

 

[bth1]

Fervor,

I found this link in the archives and think it is really helpful. http://www.mopar.com/viper.html
This will help you give you nice diagrams and part numbers so that you know the part number, how things go together and exact name of any part.

 

[GT40DOC]

Fervor, I also have a 97GTS. My back window rattled, especially when the windows were down. I cut a piece of clear plastic hose that had a lumen the same size as the locking (horz)post in the back. I glued it to the locking post, and now when the rear window closes, it closes on the plastic tubing and not the metal post. BINGO, rattle gone.
Hope that this helps.

Doc

 

[yellow02]

i say get creampuff style shifter, if u looking for a factory look. Thats just my opinion tho

 

[MoparMan]

My driver's side hinge lost the same piece of metal you referred to and now it won't hold itself open either. I need to replace both door hinges as the passenger side is sagging. My car is still under the extended warranty - is the hinge replacement a warranty item?

 

[fervor]

Thanks for all the great answers! Much appreciated. That's interesting about the piece coming off of the hinge. My door does still stay open for me, but I have noticed that in closing it is not a smooth as it was.

Thanks again!

-bob

 

[ViperJoe]

Jon @ PartRack has new / used Viper parts, and may be of some assistance