Don't forget about changing the Differential Fluid

[Rocket]

In the process of doing a complete fluid change on my 2009 Gen 4 and was amazed at how bad the diff fluid looked. Less than 10k miles and a little over a year since the last change. Factory states 12,000 miles is the norm for changing the rear axle fluid. Used the mopar fluid last time and went with Royal Purple from Autozone this time for something different. Also was nice that the Royal Purple Maxgear 75W-140 has the friction modifier additive already mixed in. Used one of the harbor freight fluid pumps to pump in the new stuff.

No pics of the oil, but since I think every post should have a Viper picture - here's one of my rear end tearing up the beautiful Arizona roads: ( I doubt that we were doing 15mph - although that slow driver in the red Viper may have slowed us down a bit - LOL - :car-smiley-003:)
http://driveviper.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Tucson_Cruise.JPG

[01sapphirebob]

I do mine every three per the wizards recommendation. But i only put a few thousand miles on the cars a year so not too big of a deal. The fluid is very black when i do change it though. Maybe ill bump it up to every two years.

[ACtechOPS]

Diff and transmission every Spring, approx 5,000 miles. Same as rocket, I always use Royal Purple in the diff.

[Mr White]

I can imagine it smelled great

[06SRTCoupe]

I am going to change my fluids in a couple weeks as well. I have a 2006 Coupe. Can I use the same Royal Purple stuff in my Gen III? Thanks in advance.

[bkrone]

Does anyone have a quick write up on doing these? I need to start making a list of things I need to do prior to the long drive to NVE2.

[Mr White]

Does anyone have a quick write up on doing these? I need to start making a list of things I need to do prior to the long drive to NVE2.

A good start would probably be a factory service manual

[01sapphirebob]

Does anyone have a quick write up on doing these? I need to start making a list of things I need to do prior to the long drive to NVE2.

I did all my fluids last year. Both my GEN II and GEN IV. What fluids will you be doing and i can give some pointers.

[06SRTCoupe]

A good start would probably be a factory service manual

Wow...so helpful...

There are writeups on every car forum I have been on, including this one. A car forum IS a good start. A service manual will not teach you certain things that real world experience from others will.

[Mr White]

Wow...so helpful...

*shrug*

FSM will tell you what you need to know to get the job done. Internet writeups are great for augmenting knowledge, but make a chitty base. Torque values, sealers, specialized tools (and specific part numbers for said tools), diagrams, orders, diagnostic procedures... blah blah it's all there. The FSM will have the proper procedures intended from the manufacturer, and if someone deviates from them you will know and you can choose whether or not to follow suit. A FSM isn't going to omit something because it is assumed knowledge or done out of habit. A FSM also isn't going to have 60 chuckleheads arguing or nitpicking over someone's choice of words and grammar.

Anyways, if bkrone wants to borrow my manual... he can, if he wants to come over and use my driveway to make a huge mess, that is fine too. This will be on my list this spring as well.

I was going to originally post the techauthority link, but a moderator would probably delete it and we'd have another one of those angry threads where the club loses members.

[06SRTCoupe]

*shrug*

FSM will tell you what you need to know to get the job done. Internet writeups are great for augmenting knowledge, but make a chitty base. Torque values, sealers, specialized tools (and specific part numbers for said tools), diagrams, orders, diagnostic procedures... blah blah it's all there. The FSM will have the proper procedures intended from the manufacturer, and if someone deviates from them you will know and you can choose whether or not to follow suit. A FSM isn't going to omit something because it is assumed knowledge or done out of habit. A FSM also isn't going to have 60 chuckleheads arguing or nitpicking over someone's choice of words and grammar.

Anyways, if bkrone wants to borrow my manual... he can, if he wants to come over and use my driveway to make a huge mess, that is fine too. This will be on my list this spring as well.

I was going to originally post the techauthority link, but a moderator would probably delete it and we'd have another one of those angry threads where the club loses members.

"Good" long post....

However, you aren't telling me anything I don't already know about FSM's. You completely miss what I am saying. There are tricks and tips that are not in the service manual that real world experience will discover, then share with whatever car community they belong to. Most, if not all members where who have done maintenance on a Viper, from routine to extensive (or any other car for that matter) will agree. For example, if you are working somewhere on a car where you cannot afford to drop a wrench, tie it to your wrist with some string. That way, if you drop it, you won't lose it. There are literally thousands of examples of good tips and tricks that a FSM will not mention.

[bkrone]

Exactly, I have the fsm, I'm looking for the tricks that help.

[ellowviper]

Eh...did mine 10 yrs ago at 14K miles with RP with the additive. At 70K now without even checking the level since that change 10 yrs ago. Overkill IMO and I'm hitting it with 700hp all the time. Don't worry....be happy.

[quickster2]

Without starting an argument with my 2nd post..... in a Gen IV differential I would follow the recommendations and add the friction modifier. Dodge/Ram trucks and other FCA products do not require the friction modifier when using full synthetic gear lube. The Gen IV Viper, and the Jeep ELSD differentials do. I would also Google this: "A Study of Automotive Gear Lubes" and draw your own conclusion for which lube to use. I for 1 would not use RP in my differential. Each to their own. FYI I am not recommending nor do I use Amsoil differential oil.

[Steve M]

What differential oil do you use?

[quickster2]

When I do it myself I use Valvoline full syn. When specified I use the OEM friction modifier. Again, each to their own. Not picking on RP but I also do not like that it turns black.

[Rocket]

Healthy discussion is good - let's talk wax, politics and religion next .... LOL! I'm going to be changing the diff oil a bit more frequently as for whatever reason, I was very unimpressed with how bad the last fill with the mopar oil and additive looked when I changed it. I would agree that for a standard synthetic that I would still add the friction modifier. It (appears) that adding the friction modifier directly to the oil is new as I noticed a number of the gear oils now stated - WITH friction modifier. If I notice anything, it would be simple to add the friction modifier. First time I've used Royal Purple - so we'll see how it looks in about a year. Any new oil has to perform better than the stuff I removed.

BKRONE - Rear end and transmission are really pretty straight forward - without a lot of tips or tricks. Drop belly pan, drain old stuff, add new stuff. Harbor freight sells a cheap pump for pumping the new oil in - so I bought one for the diff and one for the trans. Differential oil is the same for both the Gen 3 and Gen 4 and friction modifier is required (build in or added separately). Trans oil varies by year - buy accordingly.



Without starting an argument with my 2nd post..... in a Gen IV differential I would follow the recommendations and add the friction modifier. Dodge/Ram trucks and other FCA products do not require the friction modifier when using full synthetic gear lube. The Gen IV Viper, and the Jeep ELSD differentials do. I would also Google this: "A Study of Automotive Gear Lubes" and draw your own conclusion for which lube to use. I for 1 would not use RP in my differential. Each to their own. FYI I am not recommending nor do I use Amsoil differential oil.

[quickster2]

Thanks for not flaming me! I agree we do not need another oil thread on this or the many other forums :) Regardless of an opinion I think we all would have to work hard to get a "bad" oil these days. A suction gun and a pump are valuable tools to have around. I wish I was in Arizona as I would be out driving!

[Steve M]

I'm going to be changing the diff oil a bit more frequently as for whatever reason, I was very unimpressed with how bad the last fill with the mopar oil and additive looked when I changed it.

FWIW, I've noticed that of pretty much any differential fluid I've changed in any of my vehicles...stuff just gets nasty, and it doesn't seem to take long to do it.

If you get tired of the hand pump or just have money burning a hole in your pocket, I've used these with success:

http://www.amazon.com/Motive-Products-1740-Power-Transfer/dp/B00PWYKHUW

I've got two of those Motive fluid transfer pumps...you litterally just pour the oil in, screw the top down, use a little compressed air to build some pressure, and open the ball valve. Once it starts coming out of the fill hole in the transmission/differential, you just close the ball valve and you're done. I liked it so much that I bought two: one for transmission fluid, one for differential fluid.

[ACtechOPS]

Once again, 2005 FSM copy here for dowload https://www.dropbox.com/s/7osdvula7v9xfjx/2005-ZB-SM.pdf?dl=0

[JasonSSG]

Anybody have or know where I can download an FSM for 2009? I prefer to do most of the work on my car myself as I don't trust another man's hands touching my baby..lol

[Lizzardking308]

I'll chime in if anyone has the FSM for a 2006 coupe.

Thanks!

[fuggles]

Anybody have or know where I can download an FSM for 2009? I prefer to do most of the work on my car myself as I don't trust another man's hands touching my baby..lol

$120 at mopartech or amazon. haven't ever seen one on-line for download.

[XSTAR]

No pics of the oil, but since I think every post should have a Viper picture - here's one of my rear end tearing up the beautiful Arizona roads: ( I doubt that we were doing 15mph - although that slow driver in the red Viper may have slowed us down a bit - LOL - :car-smiley-003:)
http://driveviper.com/gallery/data/500/medium/Tucson_Cruise.JPG

Love the car! Think I saw it once or very similar in Gatenburg, TN (you?!). I miss my Vert me that ACR ish combo and coupe rear is killer.