rear end solution....we think

[gotV10]

well as several of us have posted, my rear end too makes a very annoying "clunk". That along with an engine light that won't stay out made me decide yesterday to take my '94 Rt/10 to my local viper tech. As far as the engine light goes, he says that my air temperature sensor in the air box is the cause. Simple fix, replace the sensor for about $37.00. As for the "clunk" doesn't seem as if it is going to be nearly as simple or as cheap. My local tech seems to think that my clutch pack in the rear end is shot. He showed me this by turning one wheel forwards as he turned the opposit backwards. So to me it makes since that the disks and plates are not in their best shape ever. Problem comes in when he informs me that i can't just purchase the clutch pack from Dodge. His suggestion to me is to see if anyone on here has these parts that they are willing to part with, or if any of you know an aftermaket replacement. look forward to hearing from all of you, as i know that many of you are great help to a new viperer.
thanks again,
ryan

 

[GTS Dean]

The gen1s are Dana 44 diffs. Gen2s are "Super 44s" The parts can be bought through thousands of vendors.

 

[Vipermed 97.01]

If you are speaking of the "clunk" between 45-60 MPH.it is not only common but nessesary as with these cars unlike most require an extra amt. of gear lash hence the clunk.if the lash is not set up just right your gears wont last.I am not saying you dont have a problem,I am just saying to make sure that they are not diagnosing something that is supposed to be there.If you do as your dealer did with the wheels manually all Vipers make some noise. This i assure you

 

[gotV10]

my clunk is at take off, and is even worse when u go from reverse to drive. when the tech held one tire still (while on the rach) and moved the other in a forward direction until resistance, then moved the other wheel, you could hear, what seemed to be a very similar clunk. Of course it was not nearly as loud but from what he is tellin me the clunk is from play...excessive play cause by the clutch pack not engauging both rear wheels at the same time. Any oppinions. Also the rear in my gen I IS a dana 44? He made it sound to me as if it were just like a dana 44.
thanks again for all the help,
Ryan

 

[Ratech]

If you do a burnout and leave two tire patches the same length it is not the clutch pack. The pack may have some wear which creates excessive backlash between the spider gears and the side gears. People re-shim the clutch pack to return to the proper backlash if the pack is not excessively worn.

 

[Larry Macedo]

Unfortunately backlash is a necessary evil, although I believe the factory .008-.010 can be reduced to .005 and it makes a difference. In the beginning Chrysler used a silver foiled shim between the transmission crossmember and the gusset (where it bolted in) to try and combat this inherit problem. The Gen1 cars had a problem whereas if the torque arm wasn't torqued properly at the differential, the bolts would elongate and cause vibrations as well. There is a TSB for the early cars that issues replacement splined halfshaft yokes and the splined hub bearings to repair "clunk" noises associated to what you descibed, GotV10.