Got the Bumper off and found something unusual!

[Ratical2]

While taking the bumper off to fix the horn, I found a bandaid wrapped around a nut. NO JOKE! Any idea how this got here? I am assuming this was done at the factory as a joke, but this is only a guess. Has any else found anything unusual like this?

Then with the bumper off I found some interesting markings inside. Some are simple dates, but what about the others? Are these signatures of the assembly guys are just standard markings from the assembly process?

While I have the bumper off, is there any preventive maintainance I should do besides cleaning before I put it back together?

Thanks!

 

[big-n-italian]

dont know about you, but i hate it when i find my nuts wrapped in bandaids.


seriously though - i have taken my nose and hood off many times and dont remember seeing any signatures. i wonder if you own something special?

 

[JB/SRT]

Probably should replace the bandaid with a new sterile one!

 

[Jack B]

Probably should replace the bandaid with a new sterile one!

How long to get it off?

 

[fqberful]

I have all sorts of dates on parts, and on the differential a signature, the guy that built it I suppose.

In your case most likely part of the inspection / signoff process.

I have no explanation for the bandaid ... Maybe the assembler got an owie!

 

[Ratical2]

How long to get it off?

Chad says he has it down to an hour each way. I can believe it now, but the first time will take a little bit longer. The hardest part for me was removing the upper fascia plate and assemble. I was being very careful and and am embarrassed to say, I spent about 2 hours messing around with it before I figured out how to get those 2 side pieces out without damaging the radiator fins.

When you lift the hood to the first position, you can see a plate between the headlamps that is held down with 4 screws. Once this plate is removed you will see the left and right pieces. What I did was took ahold of the left side and pulled toward the front of the car while sliding it toward the center. Once it is past the hood hinge, you can work it out of the front. Repeat for the opposite side. Once these are removed, you have access to the bolts that hold the bumper to the frame. I do have the Dodge shop manual and found it could have been a little more descriptive for this step.

Hope that helped.

Oh, wait, did I misunderstand the question?

 

[graphite]

Hi Rat
Amazing coincidence. I just took off the fascia on my 02 to repaint it.
An hour each way R+R, after getting experience the first time sounds entirely reasonable.

I have many similar initials with dates also on my fascia interior surface. The dates coincide with the manufacture date of my rt10. Made and delivered just in time to build mine. Good business method to save dollars.

While you have the fascia off you should take care of any corrosion and dirt you find. Anti rust paint in semi gloss black will help keep your Viper in one piece.
Anti sieze compound on all the bolt threads keep the bolts and nuts functional and prevent them from corroding together(welded into one lump of unuseable metal)
Check for problems, treat rubber/plastic and the rubber hoses. CD2 makes a resin coating for these that works well.
20 years from now you will thank yourself for having done a little maintenance. Ask anyone with an old Vette.

Andrew

 

[Camfab]

My nose and tail have signatures and dates as well. Even the side sills had signatures behind the heat shields. The Band -Aid, not really.

 

[wastntim]

When we recently visited the Connor assembly plant, one of the workers told us that they regularly signed the cars. They take great pride in their work there and wanted to let people know.

 

[dave6666]

It sounds like you took the rebar off with the fascia, like it says in my '01 manual to do. Screw that if you did. Just pull the fascia off and leave the rebar.

And yes, mine is loaded with writing. No personal hygiene items though.

 

[ViperTony]

I've got graphitti all over the car (inside)...under the block, inside doors, trunk, panels, etc. I think they used my Viper to practice their signatures. Very cool. I seem to find a new one every time I get under the car. Only strange thing I found behind my front fascia was a vegas sub-division plan and ****** fliers. Doubt that was from DC.

 

[chimazo]

When pulling off that Band-Aid, a neat trick is to say you're going to count to three and yank it off, but really do it on the count of TWO!

Might want to add this to the "How-to" section...

 

[Custom Builder]

OEM equipment has no writing. Aftermarket pieces used after a collision usually do. The junk yard makes all kinds of marks on the parts. You guys better make some phone calls to the folks you bought your cars from.

 

[ViperTony]

Maybe, but DC was notorious for signing various parts during production. Had mine checked out by the wizard. All is well and legit.

 

[grcforce327]

I checked with Chuck,and DC is out of bandaids and won't be producing anymore! He suggested going aftermarket!!!

 

[Ratical2]

I guess I am going to have to perform a bandaid fix...but which type of bandaid is most appropriate for replacement?

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

It's a safety screw.

 

[dave6666]

OEM equipment has no writing. Aftermarket pieces used after a collision usually do. The junk yard makes all kinds of marks on the parts. You guys better make some phone calls to the folks you bought your cars from.

Bummer. My sh_t's been wrecked on all 4 corners. Sides too! Wonder what wrecked the &%$#ing center console???

 

[Venomiss]

I guess I am going to have to perform a bandaid fix...but which type of bandaid is most appropriate for replacement?

Sing from the old commercial:
I am stuck on Band-aids 'cause band-aids stuck on me!

 

[ViperTony]

Bummer. My sh_t's been wrecked on all 4 corners. Sides too! Wonder what wrecked the &%$#ing center console???

Somehow my engine block was wrecked on/before 2/1/01...just a month shy of the manufactured date...those crazy ******** at CAAP wrecked my engine block!

You must be registered for see images

 

[big-n-italian]

THAT is a pic of your engine block tony?!


sorry guys and gals, but i gotta go. if you need me, i will be in the garage under my car, cleaning!

LOL

 

[2002_Viper_GTS_ACR]

OEM equipment has no writing. Aftermarket pieces used after a collision usually do. The junk yard makes all kinds of marks on the parts. You guys better make some phone calls to the folks you bought your cars from.

I hope you get that people are making fun of you. You are OBVIOUSLY a newbie. And until you know something to be fact, don't go running your mouth about BS. Maybe you're just not familiar with or know much about limited production hand built cars like the viper.. or maybe your just clueless. But Every Viper I have owned (3 of them) all new, have SOME type of signature/writing somewhere on the car. Its what you get when you have a hand built car.

signatures are COMPLETELY ok, and pretty cool. Its part of the 'sign-off' process for the pieces after inspection.

I'd like to find a viper that DOESNT have them. They are that common.

Jon

 

[ViperTony]

THAT is a pic of your engine block tony?!


sorry guys and gals, but i gotta go. if you need me, i will be in the garage under my car, cleaning!

LOL

Yep, shot from the bottom when I replaced my engine mounts. I've got to find out who AA-RL is.

 

[dave6666]

I've got to find out who AA-RL is.

Call AA?

Wonder what RL's spiritual leader was?

 

[SNAKE BITE]

OEM equipment has no writing. Aftermarket pieces used after a collision usually do. The junk yard makes all kinds of marks on the parts. You guys better make some phone calls to the folks you bought your cars from.

I work for Chrysler and can tell you "for sure" you are mistaken. Even the cars built today have lots of markings on them in different areas.

 

[graphite]

It's a good thing. Keep it up CAAP. This adds to the mystique of the handbuilt Viper. Andrew

 

[bvk]

yeah some bugger put some graffti on mine too! kids (and nascar drivers) these days...

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

 

[dave6666]

Brake fluid looks a little dark there bvk...

 

[bvk]

ah yes, thanks. thats an older pic, i drained it when i changed the plugs, leads, oil, filters etc. I think i took that the weekend I picked her up!

 

[Burntrubber]

Tony - you need to get your car dirty!

Damn that engine block is clean. wish mine was like that.