Whine/Howl from rear end

[Kapoosh1]

Dropped my Viper off with 7500 miles earlier this week for a fairly loud whine (similar to what a supercharger would sound like). However it only whines in 2nd gear and is most pronounced at lower speeds (30-40mph).

Dealer said they would have to tear it apart because they're not sure where it's coming from but it's either the rear end or the transmission.

Anyone experienced anything like this? From the way the service advisor talked I should plan to be without the car for a few weeks, which is rather annoying since they don't offer loaner cars.

[swexlin]

Yep, do a search on here. Some of us have had diffs replaced on warranty (on all year Gen 5s) due to whine and howling. Have your tech take test drive, and they should get you a new one.

PS - without the car a couple weeks? Please, as I said, my tech took one small drive, ordered the diff, and it was in and installed in less than a week.

[stradman]

Is the diff expensive? Anyone know??

[swexlin]

Is the diff expensive? Anyone know??

I'm sure out of warranty it is. Heavy Duty Dana 44.

[Steve M]

Is the diff expensive? Anyone know??

I picked one up a couple months ago for about $1700 shipped to my door. How much longer they'll be available is the real question though, and why I decided not to wait.

It isn't the end of the world though...the Dana Super 44 has been around a long time. Any competent off road shop will be able to do a tear down and rebuild with little issue. My guess is they'll do a better job of setting it up than the OEM supplier did.


Dropped my Viper off with 7500 miles earlier this week for a fairly loud whine (similar to what a supercharger would sound like). However it only whines in 2nd gear and is most pronounced at lower speeds (30-40mph).

Second gear only points to a transmission issue in my opinion.

[7TH_SIGN]

If it's only happening in 2nd gear I would check the transmission before the rear diff.

[Goat19642004]

Had mine replaced under warranty last week due to a bad pinion bearing. Nice and quiet now.

[swexlin]

I picked one up a couple months ago for about $1700 shipped to my door. How much longer they'll be available is the real question though, and why I decided not to wait.

It isn't the end of the world though...the Dana Super 44 has been around a long time. Any competent off road shop will be able to do a tear down and rebuild with little issue. My guess is they'll do a better job of setting it up than the OEM supplier did.



Second gear only points to a transmission issue in my opinion.

You may be right. Hmmmmm.... But as for a Dana 44 if out of warranty - yes, a good truck offroad shop with experience would be better than a dealer, I think!

[Policy Limits]

In my opinion it most likely has to do with the transmission rather than the rear differential. A video or sound clip might be helpful. The reason I opine in this manner is the fact that it only occurs in one gear. I also experienced this personally. With mine it is limited to whine only in second gear and only in deceleration at or around 2500 RPM's. In my case it appears to be caused by tight gears on a brand new car. With time and use it has become progressively more faint and barely exists now at all at 425 miles. Since your mileage is much higher it might not be a gearing issue and probably has more to do with the transmission. Conversely, on my old GTS I had a slight rear diff whine that occurred only in 5th and only on acceleration. Having experienced both sounds I can differentiate between the two. Is the sound recent or has it always been present?

[Kapoosh1]

The noise has been present for a few months at least but it was quiet enough where I didn't think anything of it. Now it seems like it's getting louder and louder, hence why it took it in.

I dropped it off Tuesday and the viper tech took it for a drive and immediately said something wasnt right. Last I spoke to the service advisor he said they needed a few days to tear it apart to pinpoint the issue and than we would proceed from there. I'm hoping by Monday it's at least diagnosed.

I used to live by Roanoke which was great but I recently moved across the country and ended up taking it to the closest dealer that has a "viper" tech.

From my research it seems people have had rear end issues but not really transmission issues, so I guess we'll see. It runs and drives great, even when banging gears.

Unfortunately I didn't take any video before dropping it off.

[swexlin]

The noise has been present for a few months at least but it was quiet enough where I didn't think anything of it. Now it seems like it's getting louder and louder, hence why it took it in.

I dropped it off Tuesday and the viper tech took it for a drive and immediately said something wasnt right. Last I spoke to the service advisor he said they needed a few days to tear it apart to pinpoint the issue and than we would proceed from there. I'm hoping by Monday it's at least diagnosed.

I used to live by Roanoke which was great but I recently moved across the country and ended up taking it to the closest dealer that has a "viper" tech.

From my research it seems people have had rear end issues but not really transmission issues, so I guess we'll see. It runs and drives great, even when banging gears.

Unfortunately I didn't take any video before dropping it off.

Thanks, keep us posted. IMO, a good tech, of any kind, would be able to diagnose pretty quickly, and rear howl is pretty obvious. If its the transmission, then that's different.

[Coloviper]

My 06' did same thing on third gear only. It is the transmission. Diff whine is by RPM, not gear. Also if you let off gas (unload the drivetrain) it should sound different. If not, then it is for sure the transmission.

[Kapoosh1]

So it's coming up on a week now and all I've gotten is silence from the dealer. I've left 3 voicemails since Friday and still haven't been called back. This is frustrating.

[Kapoosh1]

Finally got a call today. Said the noise is definitely coming from the transmission. As of now Chrysler won't authorize replacing the entire gearbox, so they have to remove it and tear it apart and see what's actually broken and go from there.

I'm annoyed they're not just replacing the box. I should have another update mid to late next week.

[Jack B]

Finally got a call today. Said the noise is definitely coming from the transmission. As of now Chrysler won't authorize replacing the entire gearbox, so they have to remove it and tear it apart and see what's actually broken and go from there.

I'm annoyed they're not just replacing the box. I should have another update mid to late next week.

Strange

1. Typically they would replace.

2. Most dealers do not have the personal capable of doing a 6060 rebuild.

As a side bar, i have a like new 6060 for sale. Secondly, Donato Engineering has rebuilt more viper Tremecs than anyone else, that is just in case they refuse all repairs.

[Kapoosh1]

Just to give this an update.

Today marks the 3rd full week it's been at the dealer. I was told late Friday that they had approval from STAR to order a new transmission and it would be 7-10 business days to arrive and than 3-4 business days to install.

I was advised in person early Friday from both the service advisor and service manager that if I take the car while waiting for parts and it breaks that Chrysler can deny covering the repair.(They reiterated this statement multiple times in the first 2 weeks). Later that day they told me I can come get it if I want but they recommend I don't drive it "aggressively".

I declined picking the car as I don't want to take any risks of the warranty repair being denied. For now the nightmare continues. Hoping to have the car back in 1-2 weeks but surely don't have my hopes up.

[BlueAdder]

In my experience, the ECS (special service for Viper owners) get you an assigned support person. While the part is ordered, the car has to remain at the dealership because apparently FCA requires some numbers from the tech. Then they send the part, which took about 4 days for me (from Detroit to California). Then the install is like 1 day.
I told the case manager that I needed the car for the 24th of December last year and she sped up the shipping and whatnot. She was actually really nice, and while dealing with FCA as a whole is sorta annoying, the case managers are actually quite helpful.

[swexlin]

Kapposh, is this your daily driver? If not, just let the car sit. 10 business days is 2 weeks, and 4 business days is another. That's 3 weeks.

If it's your daily , you may have to rent a car. Crappy, I know, but it is what it is. Appreciate you giving us the update. The good news is, you're getting a new 6060.

[Kapoosh1]

It's not my daily, so I have no real issues with it sitting. I'd just rather sit in my garage than the dealers parking lot, although they said they move it in every night. I am happy that i'm getting a new transmission, I was a bit worried they were going try to do a rebuild at the dealer.

I've been in touch with SRT (Corporate) and they have been super nice although not helpful in the least bit. They did say they would try to expedite the shipping of the transmission. At this point I'm just going to keep quiet and wait for the call that my car is ready to be picked up. When that day comes, I'll hopefully update this thread with good news!

[7TH_SIGN]

So it was the trans as we suspected. Well at least your getting a new transmission and it's fully covered under warranty.

[Unlimtd]

Immediately check your battery when you pick the car up. The car will have been sitting there for a long time. If this is a warranty repair, how come you are not being given a free rental car? Ask if you can upgrade the shipping on your dime and get the tranny there faster. Lastly, a tranny swap should not take 3 to 4 days. That is ridiculous. It can easily be done in less than one day.

[Kapoosh1]

Immediately check your battery when you pick the car up. The car will have been sitting there for a long time. If this is a warranty repair, how come you are not being given a free rental car? Ask if you can upgrade the shipping on your dime and get the tranny there faster. Lastly, a tranny swap should not take 3 to 4 days. That is ridiculous. It can easily be done in less than one day.

Good call on the battery, I'll check it out. Chrysler does not give rental cars unless you've bought their extended warranty plan(which I have). But even than they only pay for a maximum of 5 days, which isn't helpful at all when they take a month to do a simple repair.

[BlueAdder]

Good call on the battery, I'll check it out. Chrysler does not give rental cars unless you've bought their extended warranty plan(which I have). But even than they only pay for a maximum of 5 days, which isn't helpful at all when they take a month to do a simple repair.

Actually, since you have the ECS (Enhanced Customer Service or whatever) they will give you a car for as long as your Viper is out of order.
The dealership gave me a $35 voucher for a rental, and I kept the car for some 3 weeks. They don't care either since FCA is the one paying for it anyway.

[Kapoosh1]

Actually, since you have the ECS (Enhanced Customer Service or whatever) they will give you a car for as long as your Viper is out of order.
The dealership gave me a $35 voucher for a rental, and I kept the car for some 3 weeks. They don't care either since FCA is the one paying for it anyway.

Strange, both the dealer and FCA said the rental car was only good for 5 days at a maximum of $35 a day. I didn't argue very hard about it, but they both made it clear that after day 5 I was on my own.

[Coloviper]

Strange, both the dealer and FCA said the rental car was only good for 5 days at a maximum of $35 a day. I didn't argue very hard about it, but they both made it clear that after day 5 I was on my own.

Nope, if it is a service you bring in and they complete it, they allow only up to 5 days total to account for people's schedule to get the rental back etc. If it I s waiting on a warranty part from Chrylser, it is all on they. That sounds like some dealership internal rule BS. I swear some of these dealers should be out of business as majority, not all, are complete scumbags.

Hope it is fixed soon.

[Dr.Ron]

I had a grinding issue on my tranny. The dealership said Dodge told them to have it rebuilt after the tech tore it down to find the problem. They sent the tranny out to a local transmission shop for the rebuild.

Ron.

[Kapoosh1]

Totally forgot to update this. Took exactly one month but I got the car back with a new transmission installed. Car drives perfect and FCA financially took care of me for the trouble of the car being inoperable for a month. Although I wouldn't recommend anyone use Stoneridge Chrysler in Pleasanton, Ca.

[swexlin]

Totally forgot to update this. Took exactly one month but I got the car back with a new transmission installed. Car drives perfect and FCA financially took care of me for the trouble of the car being inoperable for a month. Although I wouldn't recommend anyone use Stoneridge Chrysler in Pleasanton, Ca.

So you got a whole new one after all? Good deal. Glad to hear it all worked out,

[Policy Limits]

Glad it worked out. It's so cool that my diagnosis was correct too. My grandmother used to say "I might not always be right, but im never wrong." Hahaha. Enjoy.

[Dr.Ron]

Old thread, but relevant.

So I have a whine coming from directly over my right shoulder in the car, but only at 62mph and higher, and only when on the throttle. If I lift it goes away.
It seems to have gotten louder in the last few months where I notice it way more now.

Should I take it to the dealer again? They had a transmission shop rebuild the tranny for me in April or May and it shifts better than ever now. Coincidence or can it be connected?

Ron

[bluesrt]

Glad it worked out. It's so cool that my diagnosis was correct too. My grandmother used to say "I might not always be right, but im never wrong." Hahaha. Enjoy.

that's like the customer is allways right, but not if they are wrong,lol

[Martin]

Old thread, but relevant.

So I have a whine coming from directly over my right shoulder in the car, but only at 62mph and higher, and only when on the throttle. If I lift it goes away.
It seems to have gotten louder in the last few months where I notice it way more now.

Should I take it to the dealer again? They had a transmission shop rebuild the tranny for me in April or May and it shifts better than ever now. Coincidence or can it be connected?

Ron

I'd probably bring it in and at least have them drain the differential to see what the oil looks like. I've been in a few cars that had that whine under throttle, and it's almost always turned out to be the rear end starting to give up the ghost. If you're still under warranty, it certainly wouldn't hurt to have the Viper doctor take a look.

[Dr.Ron]

I'd probably bring it in and at least have them drain the differential to see what the oil looks like. I've been in a few cars that had that whine under throttle, and it's almost always turned out to be the rear end starting to give up the ghost. If you're still under warranty, it certainly wouldn't hurt to have the Viper doctor take a look.

Spoke with my tech. He said bring it in. Gonna wait until after I go to the track next week. ; )

[Steve-Indy]

Dr. Ron, given the track speeds generally reached in these cars, I would ask the Tech to at least evaluate the situation before heading to the track. Safety first.

[Dr.Ron]

I appreciate that. It's been to the track twice since it started already, so...
I'm sure I've overstated it slightly, but at 20mph vs 65mph it's definitely more noticeable.

It doesn't make noises like it's about to grenade.

[Martin]

It doesn't make noises like it's about to grenade.

Interesting you should put it that way. In my experience, grenades make absolutely no noise before they're about to grenade :)

[swexlin]

Old thread, but relevant.

So I have a whine coming from directly over my right shoulder in the car, but only at 62mph and higher, and only when on the throttle. If I lift it goes away.
It seems to have gotten louder in the last few months where I notice it way more now.

Should I take it to the dealer again? They had a transmission shop rebuild the tranny for me in April or May and it shifts better than ever now. Coincidence or can it be connected?

Ron

That's what my original differential did. Almost exactly.

[Dr.Ron]

Car is at the dealership and they ordered a new rear diff.
It is expected in today or tomorrow, so I should have the car back Friday or Monday I'd expect.

Ron

[pMak26]

Spoke with my tech. He said bring it in. Gonna wait until after I go to the track next week. ; )

Who do you use Ron? I'm also in NJ and always seeking reviews on dealers with viper techs

[Dr.Ron]

Yeah, it's annoying, but being fixed under warranty.
It's not a bad thing to have a new rear diff after 11,200 miles.
They rebuilt the tranny 1,000 miles ago too, so a lot of new stuff in there! lol

I use Seaview Jeep (Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep) in Ocean township. George is the Viper tech there and he is GREAT! He has been working on them for 20+ years, and on ALL generations I believe.

Ron

[SRT BILL]

Car is at the dealership and they ordered a new rear diff.
It is expected in today or tomorrow, so I should have the car back Friday or Monday I'd expect.

Ron

Hey Ron sorry to hear about you differential, hopefully the new rear will fix this. What dealership are you using?

Bill

[quickster2]

I would change the fluid on the new diff after 500 miles with the recommended OEM fluid. Cheap insurance IMO.

[pMak26]

I use Seaview Jeep (Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep) in Ocean township. George is the Viper tech there and he is GREAT! He has been working on them for 20+ years, and on ALL generations I believe.


Thank you!! I have to get R29 done over this winter and I'm scared to leave the car at any dealer, but leaving it at one that is not super far away makes me feel a bit better.

[BlueAdder]

Yeah, it's annoying, but being fixed under warranty.
It's not a bad thing to have a new rear diff after 11,200 miles.
They rebuilt the tranny 1,000 miles ago too, so a lot of new stuff in there! lol

I use Seaview Jeep (Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep) in Ocean township. George is the Viper tech there and he is GREAT! He has been working on them for 20+ years, and on ALL generations I believe.

Ron

I had my diff replaced after some 1K on the car. It's been whining again, albeit not as loudly as the first so, once the track season is over for me, I'll bring it and have that replaced a second time.

[Snorman]

I've been waiting for a diff for a month. Supposedly they aren't available so interested that Dr. Ron is getting one so quickly.
S.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, it's annoying, but being fixed under warranty.
It's not a bad thing to have a new rear diff after 11,200 miles.
They rebuilt the tranny 1,000 miles ago too, so a lot of new stuff in there! lol

I use Seaview Jeep (Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep) in Ocean township. George is the Viper tech there and he is GREAT! He has been working on them for 20+ years, and on ALL generations I believe.

Ron

Wow, it's Amazing how you just get Everything Fixed so Quickly, Especially at a Dealership of All places! :) DO you have some kind of Pull or something?

[Dr.Ron]

I've been waiting for a diff for a month. Supposedly they aren't available so interested that Dr. Ron is getting one so quickly.
S.

Yikes, I didn't want to hear that! Just relaying what I was told, but I guess until it arrives we'll see.


Wow, it's Amazing how you just get Everything Fixed so Quickly, Especially at a Dealership of All places! :) DO you have some kind of Pull or something?

They've been GREAT on warranty items for me. No BS.

Ron

[swexlin]

When I needed my new diff, it took about 3 days. That was 2 1/2 years ago though.

[Dr.Ron]

I just spoke to the service writer. FWIW, he said the diff was billed and shipped and although they originally thought it would arrive yesterday or today, he said it will definitely be delivered to them by Tuesday.

Ron

[Dr.Ron]

UPDATE:

So I got the car back with a new rear diff installed exactly 1 week and 1 day from the day I dropped it off. The Viper tech didn't get to it until day 2. Then the new diff that was supposed to be delivered that same Thursday or Friday did not come until the following Wednesday...and I could not get back there to pick the car up until the next day.

All I can say is WOW! I can't believe how quiet the rear is now and what I was living with for all of these months!

I'm going to change the fluid after 500 miles. I did about 200 so far.

Ron

[Steve-Indy]

Happy to hear your Viper is back in action !!