Argh, what is this frickety noise in my rear, eh, of the car

[DMan]

This is driving me crazy. Only on slow tight right turns and sometimes it's there & sometimes it's not, and it seems to know when I'm trying to figure it out, cause 3 times I've gone to a parking lot to just turn & listen and look and everytime it decides to not make the noise. It sounds just like the tire is rubbing against the plastic fender well cover or something, from the passenger rear. Am I really going to have to take it to the dealer to see if they can figure it out?? Geesh.

08 SRT vert, 10K miles, bone stock.

 

[Sonoman]

Seems like your Visco-Lok rear end could use another dose of Friction Modifier (sold in 4 ounce bottles) or possibly a full lube change.

 

[DMan]

So I guess I can take it in and get a diff service done and ask about extra modifier when serviced. It sounds so much like it's coming from the right/passenger rear, is that normal (versus sounding like it;s coming from straight back at the diff) for this problem?

D

 

[AbsolutHank]

Yup, just drain and refill it sounds like to me

 

[Dom426h]

frickety noise , thats a new one, lol

-Stock,
-2.5years old,
-only 10K miles.

Im thinking that the fluid is fine unless the viper has been driven in a particular condition that would accelarate the wear.
Those recommending diff fluid change; Is this a common problem with Gen4's?

Even If she's still under warranty i would personally hold out for a few more drives to troubleshoot myself. This kind of symptom gives techs a free joyride in your viper...
Does it happen when cold?
Does it happen when hot?
Is it only tight parkinglot turns?
Have you tried circles in reverse?
Have you jacked up the rear end and looked under there?

 

[VIPER R]

check every bracket attached to any linkage, grab it and give it a hard shake.

 

[AbsolutHank]

Woodhouse recommends diff fluid changes at 10k...

 

[MbnViper]

my 08 acr did this since day one, and since someone here recommended looking for lose bolts under the fenders i took off the wheels and everything was tight.

but i saw a polystyrene insert between the rear bumper and i think the frame its kind of lose and when i moved it with my hands it produced the rubbing sound i was hearing or i thought it was.

i didn't try to fix it since i didn't have the tools or the time.

but sure i will look into it when im free.

 

[Sonoman]

frickety noise , thats a new one, lol
Even If she's still under warranty i would personally hold out for a few more drives to troubleshoot myself. This kind of symptom gives techs a free joyride in your viper...

With some dealers/repair shops you can insist on "NO test drive/owner will verify fix" and note the exact mileage on the car when dropped off. If necessary, the service adviser can ride with you on the test drive to verify a fix. Yes, they will still have to drive it from the parking area to the service bay and back...

DC Performance recommends changing the diff. fluid in the first 7500 miles and every 12,500 thereafter. (See their website under the Maintenance tab)

 

[DMan]

Ok, finally it did it with me when i was in a parking lot and I could really focus on what it sounded like. Oh and no, it doesn't do all the time, transient for sure, and it's done it warm and cold.

I'll say that it does sound like it's not from one side or the other. I could totally believe it's the diff from hearing it and being able to turn a bit in the car and focus on listening to it. yea I've looked underneath etc and it all looks fine. I'm going to try the fluid swap and modifier.

 

[70cuda]

Do yourself a favour and use the ford modifier, the green stinky stuff.

 

[DPViper]

Out of the blue mine started doing the same thing and we had to add more modifier to the synthetic gear oil. Most synthetics say they you don’t need to add modifier but don't believe it.....you need to add more.

 

[DMan]

Yea, I'm coming across it too on the Shelby forums, guys starting to get a similar thing on the GT500 and having to add more modifier ... woohoo, so I may have the problem with both cars. LoL Of course if the problem is just a fluid issue, all problems should be so easy to fix. Thnx.