New Owner Information Please

[Vipington]

Hi All,

New UK owner, just purchased a 2006 SRT10 Cab. Bit of a rash purchase, but thought I'd got a good deal. Maybe not!!

So, second drive in the car, and the power steering has 'crapped out'. Went really heavy at tick over, pump is squealing and started to leak. Don't want to drive it in case it does more damage. Unfortunately the car has sat for almost two years and I think this is one of the symptoms of under use!

So, can anyone advise a specialist or dealer who could help, preferably based in the south. (I'm in Surrey).

Also need various items like wiper blades, touch up paint. Where best to source these parts?

Thanks in advance.

[Fatboy 18]

Hello, Well sorry to hear of your news, not exactly a great start! You are 100% right on these so called cherished stored cars, having a car tucked up in a garage and not using it causes so many problems down the line. Rubber gaiters perrish, gaskets fail and parts in the cooling system corrode. Usually a new battery is required too. And of course tyres harden up

There are NO Dealers to help with your quest. But Our Club president (based in Luton) does private work on UK Vipers.
Most of us order parts directly from the USA and these cars are pretty easy to work on.

From the sound of what you are saying about the Power steering pump it sounds like you need a replacement one.
Paint can be mixed at Halfords, if you look on the Drivers door sticker it should give you the paint code and they should be able to match it.

There are a couple of us in Surrey, where are you located?
Cheers
Mark
UK Vice Prez

[Vipington]

Hi Mark, thanks for the info. Surprised to hear no 'official' dealers about, I thought it was still possible to get some parts via Chrysler UK. I've bought parts from the US before so have a shipping address I can use.

Obviously put a bit of a downer on the joy of getting a new toy! But the seller has offered to assist so may work out OK if we can source the parts. I'd already factored in a fluids change and probably a battery at some point too. Pretty handy with a spanner so don't mind doing some of the work myself. Car is Viper Red, I didn't realise Halfords could mix them so may give that a try, also sourced one on eBay that may be worth a punt.

I'm near Guildford, easy access to most parts of the South West.

Cheers.

[Fatboy 18]

Hello, Well your not too far from me. Im near Reigate on top of the north downs.
There is a Jeep dealership over in Croydon on the Purley way where I have managed to pick up a couple of relays in the past.
They may be able to provide you with some small parts?
Motor village Croydon
020 8683 1000

You may have some jeep dealers near you? They are now part of this FCA group.
If you were to need a power steering pump there are Vendors on this site that could help you out with Genuine Mopar products or you could go after market refurbished pattern parts from "Rock Auto" (Google them).

Be sure to check out the UK Events page, of course we encourage owners to join the club but you are welcome to pop along to things to see what we do.
If you get stuck with anything drop me a pm and I will see if I can help.
Cheers Mark.

So any pics of your new ride?

[Vipington]

Thanks Mark, I know Reigate well, used to live near Redhill many years back.

I may try the Jeep dealers as it looks like the pump is shared with the Grand Cherokee, need to see if that's what it is first. I'm currently a member of the CCCUK, and I believe the Viper owners joined the Corvette nats this year. I go to a few events so am sure to bump into some other owners sooner or later :cool:

Got a couple of pics from when I picked it up, but hopefully will get some more once I'm back on the road. Will be sure to post a couple once I have.

Cheers.

[Fatboy 18]

Well as I'm sure you know, the Surrey Corvette Club meet at the Fairmile Inn in Cobham on the 4th Tuesday of each month. That can get confusing as sometimes there are 5 tuesdays in the month! I sometimes go there. If you do decide to change out the pump you will need to slide off the clips that hold on the reservoir, you will also need to replace the rubber washer between the reservoir body and the pump. its an odd size so you will need to order the correct one.

Look forward to meeting you :)

[sonicbloo]

From a fellow '06 UK owner, congratulations on your new car, but sorry for your early bad luck.

I had teething problems too within weeks of getting mine 2 years ago (smoke from the air vents meant getting a new blower motor and resistor)

I also had to get a pair of wiper blades, and bought OEM items from the US which cost $70 according to my receipt (18 months ago) although the link I just found is slightly cheaper

https://parts.moparonlineparts.com/windshield-wiper-blades/2006-dodge-viper

As a temporary measure, I took my old blades to a local car accessory shop, and bought some similar looking wiper inserts, and a tube of black adhesive (total cost £10 ish) I removed all traces of the old rubber and cut the inserts to length. It was a bit of a messy job with the adhesive (Tiger seal or similar) so gloves are recommended. After a couple of hours held in place with tape until cured, I had a functioning set of wipers again. Since I got the OEM blades I've kept these as spares.

I've had a few items from my local Jeep dealer, but you have to wait as nothing is on the shelf. Oil cooler lines came from dealer stock in Italy - check yours for leaks, as they are a common problem (spots of oil on your garage floor are a giveaway)

I had a letter from Chrysler about a 2006 clutch spring safety recall which my dealer did FOC last summer, yours may need doing - the previous owner should have had the recall letter. I still have mine if you want me to email a copy to you.

Rear handbrake (inner) pads wear down too. I got mine changed just in time before they went down to the metal. https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/2227-Heed-Jon-B-s-warning-on-2003-2010-emergency-brake-issue?highlight=parking+brake

I've changed all the fluids in mine, friction modifier additive (I purchased from local Jeep dealer) must be used when changing the oil in the differential

Anyway, enough for now - don't want to scare you!, good luck and get some pictures up ASAP, I had my heart set on a gen 3 convertible before I got my coupe. In an ideal world I'd have both.

[sonicbloo]

Just found the recall info, click on the link and search '2006 clutch'

http://www.drivesrt.com/webselfservice/srt/

[sonicbloo]

Ok I said I wouldn't say anymore.........but

Check your tyres, especially the date on them, and see if they are runflats. I put up with mine for nearly 2 years as there was loads of tread, and only just changed the fronts recently. The date on them? 2004 !!!!!!

As this was the only Viper I'd driven, I presumed they all drove badly on rough roads and wandered about. The new tyres (non runflat PS3's) have changed my view, it now is a pleasure to drive instead of hanging on to the steering.

Other things you will need as we have no spare tyre, are tyreweld and tyrevalve removal tool

Vipers also have no towing brackets, so aftermarket items are needed (something I haven't bought yet)

[VIPER BAZ UK]

Welcome to UK Viper ownership....

Great cars,great club and community

Baz

[Vipington]

Hey, thanks for the info Sonicbloo.

Already checked the tyres, fronts are original, rears have been changed at some point. Horrible runflats as you say, (had some experience with these in the past, always change them out when possible). (My car has a tow hook in the boot by the way), not sure where it goes yet!

I was toying with the idea of taking one of the wipers into Halfrauds! and looking for a similar rubber blade to replace the existing. But might have to bite the bullet and purchase a correct pair if no joy.

Interesting on the clutch recall, as one of my first mods will be to disconnect the bl**dy switch! I want to be able to start the car without having to push the clutch in, I've had bikes like this too, always annoys me :-O

Car has currently gone back to the seller who has offered to fix the steering woes, just got to wait and see how long its gone for now! Can't really complain though as they've been pretty good about the whole thing.