N.Calif. Safety Inspection (recall 998 & 999)

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Stevens Creek Dodge is providing a special safety inspection session as follow:

Few cars are expected to have a weld cracks but we want to error on the side of safety.

OPEN TRACK Viper Owners/Drivers
If you drive your car at open track events such as Viper Days, Green Flag, NASA, Checkered Flag, etc. and use tires with grip that exceeds the stock tires, please e-mail ([email protected]) me if you want to have your welds inspected by Stevens Creek.

Viper Drag Racers
If you race your car using tires with grip that exceeds the stock tires please e-mail ([email protected]) me if you want to have your welds inspected by Stevens Creek.


SAFETY INSPECTION, by STEVENS CREEK DODGE, May 30, 2002, Thursday 4:00pm-9:30pm

Stevens Creek Dodge will provide a special inspection session for the steering rack cracks and a partial inspection (with the differential in place) of the rear end bracket welds using a bore-scope and mirror. (Per the recall the differential must be removed, but in an effort to inspect as many cars as possible for gross problems a bore-scope will be used.)

The goal of this inspection is to identify the Vipers most likely to be affected and to schedule them for repair as soon as possible. If major cracks are found you may want to leave your car with Stevens Creek Dodge. They will have a few service car available.


Recall summary

998 calls for inspection for steering rack and differential mounts weld cracks. Applies to Vipers built between 1996 and March 1, 1999.

The differential inspection requires removal of the differential assembly from the vehicle.
If the differential mounting bracket weld cracks are found the repair procedure requires the removal of the fuel tank. If no cracks are found the corrective action involves the addition of several frame reinforcement pieces and no welding.

The steering rack inspection is easy and the corrective action involves the addition of several frame reinforcement pieces. Some welding will be required.

999 calls for inspection for steering rack for weld cracks. Same as 998 see above. Applies to Vipers built between March 1, 1999 and October 2, 2000.

Steering Rack and Differential Cracks may be found on cars that were driven ******* open track events with race tires or DOT tires with increased grip such as Hoosiers. Differential Cracks may be found on cars that were drag raced with slicks or tires with increased grip.

Regards,
Fred Kinder

Contact me to confirm your inspection.
[email protected]

 

[99 R/T 10]

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Steering Rack and Differential Cracks may be found on cars that were driven ******* open track events with race tires or DOT tires with increased grip such as Hoosiers. Differential Cracks may be found on cars that were drag raced with slicks or tires with increased grip.
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Hey Fred,
No flame here, but I keep hearing every post talk of only "track cars". Since there are very few high mileage Vipers out there, how do we know that these problems won't manifest itself in this type of situation? We really don't know how all those "spirited" takeoffs from red lights (at least the ones I do and there are many) affect the rear differential area? Am I wrong here?

Mike

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Hi Mike,

There are many post regarding this recall, which is for all cars!

The cars most likely to have a problem have seen track (road or drag) use with slicks, or other non-original tires that have more grip.

Our (Stevens Creek Dodge and your VCA) first priority is to inspect the cars most likely to have cracked welds. We want to make sure that our Viper family members are safe. The cars that have the worst case cracks (if any) will be scheduled for immediately for the corrective action defined by the recall.

This dealership is prepared to schedule two Viper Techs to inspect cars during non-work hours to look after the safety of our local Viper owners. If cracks are found the owners can leave their cars and take a loaner home.

This is a safety issue. All other cars will be scheduled for recall upgrades by the dealer.

Cars with cracked welds will be addressed first and cars driven on the track with sticky tires will be scheduled ahead of Garage Queens. It is a basic priority of the cars that need the upgrade will be addressed first.

If anyone wants to have their car inspected on May 30th. please let me know by e-mail. [email protected]

 

[99 R/T 10]

Hey Fred,
It's just that the recall specifically states for "track" cars, but I would think high mileage cars are just a suseptable to cracks as well. My point is when you bring the car to the dealer, he will automatically assume you have raced it. I see the need for the tracked cars to get priority, but the guys with many miles on their cars ahould also think about gettting to the dealer quickly.

Mike

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

All Viper Club Members / owners who ask for the 998 or 999 recall corrective action will receive the additional hardware support. The VCA members in our regions will have an opportunity to have their cars inspected and recall implemented. The first cars addressed will be those with weld cracks (if any) and those that are exercised at driving schools. All others including Garage Queens will be scheduled by the dealership.

 

[Fred(DrivingSchool)Kinder]

Last chance to be included in tomorrows (special) safety inspection by Stevens Creek Dodge.

Let me know asap if you want to have your car(has been on the track with sticky tires) inspected.

contact me by e-mail: [email protected]