High Pitch Whining Noise - Pls Help

[Kevin Stitely]

I notice a high pitch whining noise starting around 50 mph, usually in 4th or 5th gears. I was told by someone that this is normal in all vipers. Can someone verify whether or not this is true or do I need to replace something in the rear.

BTW, the car is a 99 RT/10.

 

[John ACR]

Not here.
Was it very cold?
Is it always present?
Call Chuck Tator AKA Viper Wizard @ 914-763-3136.
Good luck and let us know what you find out.

 

[Kevin Stitely]

Thanks John. The noise seems noticeable as the car warms up. I also read a thread stating the noise is really coming from the rear end, and it's normal in every viper, and there nothing you can do for it. I'll continue to poll the club before rushing into the shop.

 

[John ACR]

How many miles on the odometer?

 

[Kevin Stitely]

5000 miles...well taken care of inside and out.

 

[John ACR]

Don't rush into the shop.
Rush to the phone Monday morning and/or send a private message to Viper Wizard. Please post your results.

 

[Ron]

<FONT face="Comic Sans MS">Check your tires. I've found that a saw-toothed pattern can develop in as little as 5,000 miles. As you increase speed it can sound like a bearing or even like snow tires.

If you run your palm over the tread towards the edges of the tire and it feels rough, try rotating them to the opposite side so the tire rotation is reversed. It'll take a couple of hundred miles, but will improve, go away and come back signaling rotation time again.

This assumes of course that you don't have directional tread. If you do (and you probably do) I guess it's best that it isn't the tires.....</FONT f>

 

[GaryA]

If you're looking for a local (MD) Viper expert, call Jason Heffner at Heffner's Performance in Glen Burnie, MD (410 766-2800).

 

[Matt M PA]

I have noticed this too, only with the windows up around 50-70MPH. Windows down, it cannot be heard. I searched on the BBS for this almost a year ago and found that it was normal. I have only noticed this on the highway and really, really, have to listen for it.

 

[Jeff Torrey]

I would first check your tire pressure. If you have Pilot Sports cold tire pressure is 29psi. I had my oil changed last week at a Dodge dealer and they overinflated the tires. Noticed right away at around the speeds you mentioned. If the tires are ok, could be rear end. But I would be surprised, Good luck.

 

[Kevin Stitely]

Thanks to everyone for the advise. Looks like I have some homework to do before declaring victory. If not, I'll be calling the Viper Wizard and Jason Heffner for further guidance.

JonB - It only does it when in gear. If I leave off the accelerator to coast, the noise disappears.

Stay tuned!

 

[Tom Sessions]

If the noise is only there while under load(accel) and goes away on coast then you have gear noise.This is not a durability issue more of a annoying noise.I have changed several rear diff's for thie noise and all the new ones have been very quite.The plus side is you get a 2001 rear diff with larger ring gear bolts for what it's worth.Any questions feel free to call.Tom
910-799-4210

 

[JonB]

Likley culprit is the pumpkin. Does it do it only in gear, or also coasting? Under accel/steady cruise, or decel? Or ALWAYS? The answers help pinpoint

Or unlikley, but:

Alternator
Serpentine itself
P/S pump
A/C compressor
tensioner.

 

[AJ]

depending on the cruising speed i have two distinct whines. at around 50 i have one coming from the rear end. i assume this to be normal. my richmonds in other cars were much noiser (and i know they were done right since i did them myself and i've done a few rear ends

). the other one auidable around 65-70 is more high-pitched and comes from the trany (in 6th gear). i dont know if this one is ok. never had such noises from a t-56 before..

i am still braking in the car, so i will let them be for around 2000 miles and then i will look into the tranny whine more closely.

however, those whines given the nature of the car are normal in my book and i consider them a part of the package.

alex
02 gts
few other cars