Upcoming Service

[KIKNASP]

Doing an extensive service on Thursday.

FLUIDS:
Oil & Filter
Trans
Diff

STEERING:
Billet rack bushings

BODY:
Door hinge detent kit.


Anyone have any recommendations on anything else I should do?
2000 GTS w/10,000 miles

THX

[J TNT]

Brake and Clutch Fluid .

[dave6666]

Doing an extensive service on Thursday.

FLUIDS:
Oil & Filter
Trans
Diff

STEERING:
Billet rack bushings

BODY:
Door hinge detent kit.


Anyone have any recommendations on anything else I should do?
2000 GTS w/10,000 miles

THX

When did routine maintenance become "extensive?" Geesh. You're changing the oil in a few things not rebuilding the car lol.

And yes. I can think of something else you should do, per you asking such. Drive it more.

But why are you skipping replacing hoses and belts, replacing plugs and wires, replacing engine mounts and tranny mounts, rear axle nut torque check, rear diff mounting torque check, pad and rotor service, chassis lubrication, u-joint service or replacement, chassis alignment check, sway bar link boot replacement, power steering flush and pressure hose replacement? You want to claim extensive, and you aren't even doing those routine items.

Sorry to burst your bubble but you have a long way to go.

[plumcrazy]

im with dave on this one

[10PISTNZ]

BODY:
Door hinge detent kit.


THX

What is this kit?
I'm guessing it has to do with the fact the door won't stay open.
Who supplies this? What's involved to install?

[BLRDViper]

Don't forget the Antifreeze/Coolant.
I did the Door Detent fix last year on my 01. Fun job. Did you get the kit from Jon B?

BLRD

[Bill Pemberton]

Clutch Fluid is probably the most often missed fluid and is the number one reason many think they need a new clutch --90% of the time they just need the clutch fluid changed. On chassis lubrication, though, do not have the mechanic just fill all the zerks like it is a 1951 Ford Tractor, just check and fill lightly. Major issue with Vipers, as average mechanic thinks this is like an old Dodge truck or something and pumps them up everytime you come in. Ruins the bushings from heat and overfilling and bingo you are out $800 to replace all that have cracked. We see this in the shop all the time, so keep that in mind. Lots of things to check as Dave noted, though many will just be to check , so don't get scared.

Good luck.

[Purple Haze]

Good to know Bill thanks...

Clutch Fluid is probably the most often missed fluid and is the number one reason many think they need a new clutch --90% of the time they just need the clutch fluid changed. On chassis lubrication, though, do not have the mechanic just fill all the zerks like it is a 1951 Ford Tractor, just check and fill lightly. Major issue with Vipers, as average mechanic thinks this is like an old Dodge truck or something and pumps them up everytime you come in. Ruins the bushings from heat and overfilling and bingo you are out $800 to replace all that have cracked. We see this in the shop all the time, so keep that in mind. Lots of things to check as Dave noted, though many will just be to check , so don't get scared.

Good luck.

[COI]

Sounds like you have a great car. Without knowing what you plan to do with the car it's hard to give good advice. If you plan to continue to put ~500 miles/year on the car in low stress driving then the maintenance your thinking of along with the clutch/coolant/tires/belts/brakes is likely sufficient. If you're thinking of starting to put more extensive mileage on the car and/or push it harder then you probably should have components checked to ensure the other "routine" issues are at least inspected. If you're thinking of a major change in how the car has been used to date then you probably do want to have a certified Viper tech comprehensively inspect and service the car.

Spend the time/money that needs to be spent to safely enjoy the car the way you want to enjoy it.

[Bill Pemberton]

I think Dave and my advice are based more on the fact that it is a 17 year old car and who knows what has been done? To some extent I firmly believe age negates worrying about what one is going to do with the car, as it is time to go over a bunch of stuff since the car is frankly an AARP member. We commonly see cars in the shop with low miles that folks figure they do not have to do certain items since it was not driven a lot, and these vehicles can sometimes need the most updating - a lot of work over the years has been neglected or not even done imho.

[KIKNASP]

Recently done - thx.

[KIKNASP]

Jon at Viper Parts Rack.

[KIKNASP]

Sorry my incorrect wording offended you.
I'm new to Viper ownership, and all I'm looking for is to learn as much as I can about the car.

[COI]

I think Dave and my advice are based more on the fact that it is a 17 year old car and who knows what has been done? To some extent I firmly believe age negates worrying about what one is going to do with the car, as it is time to go over a bunch of stuff since the car is frankly an AARP member. We commonly see cars in the shop with low miles that folks figure they do not have to do certain items since it was not driven a lot, and these vehicles can sometimes need the most updating - a lot of work over the years has been neglected or not even done imho.

Let me repeat: I advised to spend the time/money that needs to be spent to safely enjoy the car the way the owner wants to enjoy it. Spending $5000 to drive the car to/from car shows at Spanish Springs once/month in The Villages in Florida seems like questionable advice and a huge waste of money. Spending $1000 to take a 17 year-old car to the track is even worse advice. Trust me, I get it but only the OP know's what the intended use is and I think it's prudent to give the advice that best aligns with the intended use.

[KIKNASP]

When did routine maintenance become "extensive?" Geesh. You're changing the oil in a few things not rebuilding the car lol.

And yes. I can think of something else you should do, per you asking such. Drive it more.

But why are you skipping replacing hoses and belts, replacing plugs and wires, replacing engine mounts and tranny mounts, rear axle nut torque check, rear diff mounting torque check, pad and rotor service, chassis lubrication, u-joint service or replacement, chassis alignment check, sway bar link boot replacement, power steering flush and pressure hose replacement? You want to claim extensive, and you aren't even doing those routine items.

Sorry to burst your bubble but you have a long way to go.

Sorry my incorrect wording offended you.
I'm new to Viper ownership, and all I'm looking for is to learn as much as I can about the car.

[KIKNASP]

Don't forget the Antifreeze/Coolant.
I did the Door Detent fix last year on my 01. Fun job. Did you get the kit from Jon B?

BLRD

Yes - along with tires earlier and the rack bushings.
Good guy to deal with.

[Bill Pemberton]

No need to repeat , the issue is it is a 17 year old car , regardless of how he uses it , it is wise to check a ton of things when it is 17 years old, as many have not had areas checked for a very long time. Neither of us said he would pay 5K, but he should not be selective as he could miss a ton of concerns when he just does the basics. There is a reason why Dealers do Certified Cars ( consumers want a feeling of security ) , and they are required to check 125 plus items with most Manufacturers - and this is on a much newer car. There are plenty of items he could miss as he is not likely a mechanic and frankly even our Tech ( who is one of the best in the US ) finds items all the time that are not part of a so called routine check. Funny thing, is we usually spend 4-6K reconditioning older Vipers with many things that are considered safety concerns. Just don't think you can pick and choose, because he has no clue how it was used over the years or what parts are worn or have not been properly maintained for the life of the car.

[harley56]

Sorry my incorrect wording offended you.
I'm new to Viper ownership, and all I'm looking for is to learn as much as I can about the car.

Your wording didn't offend dave666, he considers any person with a low mileage Viper offensive.

[Camfab]

I've had two of these cars and both had at least one u-joint that was dry of lube and going South at 10K. The only reason I found this out was because I was swapping out the OEM diff's for the Mopar Performance unit. This was on a four and five year old car.

[BLRDViper]

Jon's door kit works great. Be sure to mark the hinge position in as much detail as you can before removal. After you reinstall it you may need to do some slight adjustments. Don't hurry.
BLRD

[KIKNASP]

Jon's door kit works great. Be sure to mark the hinge position in as much detail as you can before removal. After you reinstall it you may need to do some slight adjustments. Don't hurry.
BLRD

It went very smoothly.
Rather than "scribe" the hinge location (as outlined in the instructions), we outlined it with masking tape as opposed to putting scratches in.
Entire job took about an hour, with MUCH of that aligning the door IN SPITE of the tape.