Drive line slop/play. Motor mounts or something worse?

[unhcampus]

My 2004 with 16k miles appears to have a lot or drive line play or what I call slop.

You notice this most at lower speeds, while trying to maintain a constant 30 mph on flat ground. It feels like there is a lot of play in the drive line and I can feel it clunking.

Is this a typical problem? I don't remember experiencing it with other Vipers. Could it be motor mounts? A loose diff?

Any tests I should try?

Thanks for the help,
Matt

 

[Kirkinsb]

I have a 2003 with 25K now. I have noticed "some" drive line slop...figured it is pretty common. I have also noticed it some when cruising at a slow speed as well. It seems to be a speed and certain gear...so I either shift up or down. Some days seems worse than others. But I have never experienced the clunk sound. Seems you should drop the belly pan and looks things over. Clunk could be the tranny mount?

 

[mjorgensen Woodhouse]

Likely a looser tolerance in he gear backlash. Some are worse than others for noise and definitely more noticeable in the lower gears, not much to worry about. If the motor mounts are bad you will see excessive shifter movement side to side under hard acceleration or deceleration. You could also experience wheel hop and making it hard to find 3dr gear under full power driving.

 

[gb66gth]

Mark, seriously man, you are a valuable resource and a treasure for this community. Good on you!