Transmission splash shield problem

[00GTS]

Just changed the transmission and diff. fluids.

Went to put the splash shield back on and the holes don't line up :confused: Seems almost like the frame rails have shifted just enough to ruin an otherwise easy job Does this happen often? Noticed some of the bolt holes on the plate are slightly elongated as well.

The car is up on a Quickjack, so no uneven pressure being applied to the chassis. I had the car on the track the day before... Could the stresses from the track caused this?

Solution?

[dave6666]

That's not a splash shield. It's part of the the underbody aero and contributes to the chassis structure. Never heard of it not fitting after being removed. It also only fits one way. Try flipping it over or spinning it around.

[00GTS]

Dave. I recognize that it's part of the structure. Factory service manual calls it a splash shield.....

Tried flipping an rotating it to no avail. The orientation never changed. Just unbolted and set it down on the floor.

Very weird.

[Steve-Indy]

It might be interesting to see if it fits better if you were to try to install that plate while the Viper was on a drive-on lift.

Has the car been wrecked ??

[99RT10]

Do all the bolt holes seem to be wider that the splash shield? If so, is it possible the lift you are using is "spreading" the frame enough to keep it from lining up. Try putting the car back on the ground and jack it up from the rear so you can slide under and see if they line up then.

[00GTS]

Was thinking the same thing about the lift spreading the rails. Yes, the bolt holes seem to be wider than the splash shield holes.

Car has not been wrecked or in any accidents. I've had the shield off before but not using this lift.

[00GTS]

SOLVED

Set the car down. Checked positioning of lift. Lifted car again.....everything lines up. Weird.

Lift must have been spreading the frame rails somehow. All good now.

[My98RT10]

Had my car on the Quickjack a couple of times and also removed the splash shield in a few instances. No issues. Also when using jack stands before, never any issues when putting shield back on. Strange...

[00GTS]

I must have been doing something wrong....

[ViperTim]

Worked great on mine with Jackstands on the jack points.
What points did you use for your lift?

[00GTS]

I used the proper lift points.

I think what happened is I must have had the shield one set of bolt holes forward or back (even though I "checked"), hence the misalignment. When I dropped the car, lifted it up again and crawled under, it lined it up properly.

Of course I posted to the forum in between!