Shifter Bounces Around and Car Hesitates in 6th

[Dimitrios]

Hi everyone. I'm a 6 month owner of a 01 RT10 with 15K miles and bought it when it had 7k on it. Just last month brought it to the dealer (was so difficult to find a viper tech to work on it) and had the weather stripping replaced under warranty since it leaked everytime it rained out. Also was told it needed brakes so got it done for $750 on all fours. Now a month later the heat doesnt come out from the vents and the horn stopped working. My main problem is this. was on the freeway doing about 60 in sixth and the shifter started to bounce around like crazy and the car ****** and was hesitant everytime i stepped on the gas. Now on take off there was a snap prior. Took it to the shop and was told my clutch needed replacing and it would cost $1800 to replace. I thought it would be a tranny mount or engine mount since a snap sound comes from under the carwhen taking off hard and the clutch grips well an still chirps the wheels till 3rd. Is the clutch really wrong? Why doesn't the warranty cover that? I hear dodge warranties are great with viper owners. Is $1800 alot? The part is only $250. Please help....Thanks DK in Queens NY.

 

[Ulysses]

Hard to say what a snap is without really hearing it for myself. Could be anything from what they say it is to body flex, a loose diff mount, or a bad ujoint. I think 60 is a bit slow to be in 6th and then mashing the pedal. I'm not sure, but I think the heater and horn are on the same fuse circuit. May want to take a look at the fuses.

Good luck, and I'ld take it to another dealer for a second opinion.

 

[joe117]

If you have been driving the car for 7k miles and you often put it in 6th when you are going 60mph, and you step on the gas to accelerate from 60 in 6th.....
You may very well have broken a mount somewhere.

If the rear is stock, you shouldn't be in 6th gear at less than 80mph.

It sound's like your clutch is probably ok. A good way to test it is to have the car in 4th at about 60 and then step on it. Watch for to see if the rpm revs up faster than normal.

I suspect your clutch isn't covered by the warranty. I think your dealer may be trying to get you to pay for some repair work that isn't needed.
Bluntly, your dealer thinks you are a sucker and they are trying to cheat you.

 

[Jeff Torrey]

Dimitrios- I sent you a private message.

 

[sbkim]

Joe117 - I am very new to the Viper world but are you not supposed to drive around in 6th gear at 60mph? And can you not acclerate in 6th gear? I don't floor the car while it's in 6th but I may push on gas to speed up to say 70 or 80 etc.

I don't have the same issue as dimitrios but I do have quite a bit of movement (up/down) in my shifter...

 

[GaryA]

$1800 to replace the clutch seems outrageous to me. I've had mine changed for much, much less than that. I'd definitely shop around. Chuck Tator (Tator's Dodge and frequent poster here) is in NY about 1 hour from you in South Salem.

Good Luck!

--------------
2000 Black/Black RT/10
Heffner 1000SCi 843 rwhp 792 rwtq 10.20 ET @ 141 MPH
Home of the World's First 9-second Supercharged Viper! Click here for more info.

 

[TomMiriViper]

If I put my car in 6th at 50 it will lug the car like crazy. You may have a different problem.

 

[ElDiablo Viper]

You are only 1 hour drive from Chuck Tator...why not take it there?

 

[newredrt10]

Dimitrios

I had a problem like yours. It turned out to be a lose plug wire. What is the rpm range for 60 mph. I have 3.73 rear and it lets me use 6th at 50 mph

 

[Dimitrios]

RPM range at 60 mph is about 1300-1500 rpms.

 

[Dimitrios]

it might be the wires cause the dealer also wanted me to pay $300 or so for wires and sparks plugs. im just gonna have to set up an appointment with chuck. it seems its worth an hour drive. i just hate the run arounds...

 

[kverges]

The prices seem high to me all around, including brakes.

As for using 6th, I use it at 60 ALL THE TIME in all my Vipers for 10 years. Clearly the car must allow use of 6th below 80, since no posted speed limit is 80 and most are 65 or lower.

By all means get a second opinion!

 

[joe117]

Dimitrios,
If you are showing 1300 or more RPM @60 mph, you must have a 3.73 rear gear ratio.
I have changed to a 3.55 and I can use 6th gear at about 65mph.
The stock 3.07 rear will require about 80mph for 1500 RPM in 6th gear. If you had a stock 3.07 rear and you used 6th gear at 60mph, I wouldn't be surprised if the engine bucked up and down.

Anyway, if you have 1300 to 1500 RPM @60 mph, you should be able to step on the gas and accelerate from there in 6th.

If you have a wire loose, as suggested above, you might get some bucking. There are probably many other things that could cause that but I would not think the clutch would be suspect.