Round 2 !!! Help - OK What Is This Part I Found, Pics Inside!!!

[CROM]

Ok, I took off the lower shield that covers the bottom half of the flywheel and this fell out. My assumption was correct that something was rubbing against the flywheel. Please note that the ruler is in Centimeters, so this thing is 2 Centimeters long and about 1 Centimeter Wide. This appears to be some type of alignment guide pin. It came from the flywheel area. Any clues? The car no longer makes that nasty noise, this was rubbing against the flywheel and shield causing that nasty sound. And if you know what this is, do I need to pull some stuff apart and replace it or am I OK leaving it as is????

Thanks for all your help guys.

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[JUCD VPR]

It looks like the alignment pin that help line up the transmission to the motor.

 

[CROM]

Thanks! That is what I am thinking it is as well.

How could this come out and end up in the flywheel housing of the bell housing and do I need to replace it or not? If this was able to come loose, then perhaps there is an underlying issue here?

 

[big-n-italian]

does look like an alignment pin.

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

May be from the disc assembly or pressure plate?

Found a pic on ebay..

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[JUCD VPR]

Hmmm well like i said I THINK? I could be wrong i'm not 100% sure what it really is, thats just what it looks like to me?
But I have no idea how it would get into the bell housing, it has to be that piece though because i can't think of what else would be around that area that looks like that?

I'd say make sure all your bell housing bolts are tight and then you should be good. You could go as far as to pull the tranny and replace it BUT again were not sure if thats what it really is? I DOUBT it will make any difference if you just leave it be? From my experience with pulling tons of tranny's out of my Mustang, those pins are only there to help align the tranny to the motor so it eases the process of bolting up the bell housing bolts.

Anyone else care to chime in?

 

[big-n-italian]

<< From my experience with pulling tons of tranny's out of my Mustang, those pins are only there to help align the tranny to the motor so it eases the process of bolting up the bell housing bolts. >>

this is exactly what i am thinking Jim, but i was afraid of saying without knowing for sure.

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

The only reason I suspect the pressure plate was because of the size of the rivet, I ran out to the garage and pulled out my old clutch (out of a box, not the truck!) and snapped a couple pics, but this one below is for a diesel truck, different design, but same manufacturer (Luk). Also assuming you have an OE clutch setup?

I would tend think the bellhousing alignment dowels would be captured once the engine is installed, no arguments here.. just a suggestion.

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Yet the rings / marks on the rivet (as below) looks like a candidate of the previous pic of the Viper disc assembly, the marks indicating it was set in 2 metal plates.

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[JUCD VPR]

You have a good point, they do look somewhat similar. Hmm...

 

[Mr Hemi Head]

Looks like a rivet, from the pressure plate, that sheared off. Adam how many miles on the car?

 

[CROM]

The car has 9300 miles. Thanks for all the insight guys.

So, does this mean new clutch?

 

[Mr Hemi Head]

If you are pulling the transmission could a light weight flywheel be in your future?

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

Sorry CROM, not to change the topic. Mr_Hemi_Head, we think alike (i.e. your sig car list) - my previous restorations / projects, first was an original Hemi car, second was a clone w/a 572.
http://www.wincom.net/mnllehti/RR_1.jpg
http://www.wincom.net/mnllehti/RR_2.jpg
http://www.wincom.net/mnllehti/Barracuda_DCX_employee_show.jpg

Do the Viper guys ever run w/a kevlar disc? I've had problems with the Luk clutch in my 6 spd diesel before and wouldn't be surprised if one of the rivets popped off.

 

[Camfab]

If it were me, I would pull the tranny asap, but that's me. If you somehow ended up with dowel pins in the bellhousing, you've got a huge problem. That is to say the housing is severly broken. I doubt that to be the case though, I'm not sure about Dodge dowel pins, but under 1/2" seems way too small in O.D.
If you are right, and it's off the pressure plate, then you've got a time bomb. Literally, if the pressure plate goes at speed, it's not the car I'd be worried about. Regardless I would pull it apart.
By the way those alignment pins (dowel pins) serve to keep the tranny in phase with the back of the block. They are critical, if you lose them, say good buy to your input shaft. Many race cars that use aftermarket scattershields (bellhousings) must use offset dowel pins to phase the tranny to the back of the crank. Tolerances on most aftermarket housings are horrible. This really doesn't apply to the Viper, because the tranny and bellhousing are essentially integral. Although if you alignbored the mains, you'd have to check the phasing of the tranny. Ok, I really went off track.

 

[CROM]

ok, edited.

How much of a pain is it to pull the tranny? I have the tools and the time, but I do not have a lift.

 

[Mr Hemi Head]

Mike do you still own the Roadrunner? A car exactly like yours was entered in a local car show recently. I cannot believe the prices on the 60s muscle cars especially the Hemis. If I still owned the cars in my sig. I could retire early. LOL

 

[big-n-italian]

<< If you are right, and it's off the pressure plate, then you've got a time bomb. >>

this makes alot of sense. if there are suppose to be five rivets in the clutch and now there are four, those four rivets are doing alot more work than they were probably designed for and that could be very bad. correct?

 

[Mr Hemi Head]

ok, edited.

How much of a pain is it to pull the tranny? I have the tools and the time, but I do not have a lift.

Give Tator a call. Chuck can give you a good idea of the time and effort it will take. I have done this (not a Viper) on jack stands, its not fun.

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

Sorry again CROM, Rick, I sold it 5 or so years ago. If you saw that car, it would drive me crazy to know where it is, never knew where it ended up. I'm pretty sure it was the only EW1 Hemi 4 speed coupe. I keep kicking myself for selling, I understand because you have had quite the collection. The Viper is sure fun though. I'm not Jay Leno, I can only afford one toy at time, might as well mix it up, life is too short.

Good luck CROM, be sure to take some pics. People have lost feet because that assembly can be like a buzzsaw through the floor if it lets go at high rpm.

 

[JUCD VPR]

ok, edited.

How much of a pain is it to pull the tranny? I have the tools and the time, but I do not have a lift.

A lift will make you life 100 times easier. I've pulled many tranny's in Mustang and doing it on jackstands *****!

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Pulled a clutch in a truck on jack stands....I concur, it *****. You need to see if Mark "SuperchargedGTS" Cooper might share his lift!! LOL!!

When I have to do the Viper I'll be glad I have the KwikLift!!

 

[RedOne]

I knew it was the pressure plate/clutch assembly... My phsychic ability is strong of late... lol

 

[CROM]

Anyone else? I'm hoping the Wizard can chime in, and a few others as well. Regardless, it seems like the tranny needs pulled for further inspection. Anyone pull the tranny before? Would it be something one could do on jack stands and a tranny jack, without air tools? And how much of a pain is it to replace the clutch?

Thanks for the help guys, keep the suggestions coming.

 

[JUCD VPR]

IF you can use a LIFT and AIR TOOLS, that makes things alot easier! Replacing a clutch is pretty easy!

 

[Mark Red GTS Cooper]

Hey Tony,,

Adam, if you need the lift we can do it here.

Mark

 

[Viper Wizard]

Hey Adam,
Got your e-mail and I haven't posted because you have been getting good answers! If it was mine, I would be pulling the trans. If you want, give me a call and I may be able to give you some tips on removing your trans.
914-763-3136

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

Hey Adam,
Got your e-mail and I haven't posted because you have been getting good answers! If it was mine, I would be pulling the trans. If you want, give me a call and I may be able to give you some tips on removing your trans.
914-763-3136

People like yourself, Tom,F&LGor and others here is why I enjoy this forum as a new member. As someone like yourself who is a Viper tech, you don't step in and present yourself with an ego or command respect and argue, you're a classy fellow.

I remember this quote from wherever.. "You can only earn respect, you cannot command it".

btw, I'm not kissing yer butts in hopes of free future service, it's just an observation.

 

[hemibeep]

Tranny needs to come out.
Not too bad, its a little tight.
Hardest part is bleeding the slave cylinder.
The LUK clutch on ebay is factory and pretty inexpensive. Also, a little grease on the input shaft for the throwout bearing to ride on, (MINE squeals like a pig)

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Chuck is one of the GREATEST! I had the old 97 Ford Ranger on stands, learning my 17 year old son how to replace a flywheel. Just like when I get stuck with the Viper....I called The Wizard. He and Rob gave me some pointers only learned from experience and we were good to go.

Adam, how far are you from Mark's. I know, historically, Mark has been one BUSY guy....but you only need it for a day (as long as you have all the parts).

I'd love to help/participate as I will be doing mine someday. I already have all the parts in standby.

 

[GTS Bruce]

.45 slug.