New to me 16 ACR E couple questions

[MacManInfi]

Hi all! I had a 96 Viper GTS for seven years. Sold it a while back and missed it. Just picked up a white 2016 Viper ACR-E with 500 miles on it and have a couple questions. Been reading through the forums and didn't see any similar posts so I thought I'd ask. I don't know what is normal for these cars.

Going over harsh bumps, I get a knock/bang in the front. My perception is that it's coming from the driver's side front suspension. Seems to happen more with quick drops. It sounds and feels like a loose shock mount but I have checked the shock mounts and they are tight. I also don't feel any play in the tie rods or ball joints and this morning I greased the ball joints and the sound is still there. I am starting to think that the shock is binding on rebound? I have noticed that the adjustment collars on the shocks feel different. The blue collar on the front driver's side shock in particular doesn't click from 1 to 3, but does start to click as you ramp up the numbers, while all the other collars do click.

Second question is the gear noise coming from the back of the car. Probably differential? It can be quite loud under light load. My '96 made the same noise and I never had any problems but I have seen reports of diff issues and wondering if it's normal or not.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

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[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Welcome back Chris! Weird to see you with 1 post!
Big Jump from 97 to ACRE...

Rear noises likely normal...... front noises NOT.

Is the aero all snug? No slack in cables? Underhood stuff snug? Strange

CONGRATS

[ACRSNK]

Not sure about the issues you are having, but your car is beautiful! Congrats!

[ViperJon]

I had the same ACR-E and the rear differential was replaced under warranty at 700 miles because of some factory screw-up with the fluid (that's what we were told). Some of these 2016 had issues with the diff...might be worth checking if you have any open recalls? Good luck with it.

[MacManInfi]

Thanks all. Some big differences in 10 years! But also enough similarities that I immediately felt at home in the car. I am absolutely in love with the handling. So predictable and controllable!

I'll see if I can find anything else that might be lose in the front end. I'll get it up on the lift this weekend.

Good reminder about the recalls. I hadn't thought to check yet. Checking on-line, it appears that there are no outstanding recalls associated with the vin#.

[dewilmoth]

Mine does not make either noise you describe. Hope you figure out the noises, because I think you’ll adore the car.

[SharpMan]

Mine does not make either noise you describe. Hope you figure out the noises, because I think you’ll adore the car.

Congrats!

Mine doesn't make either of those noises I'm afraid. That said...it's so loud inside maybe I just can't hear them! ;-) One thought at the front is that the suspension is height adjustable...make sure all the bits are tight.

[Goat19642004]

Congratulations on the ACR-E. Mine does not have any front end noise but my rear diff was changed under warranty at 800 miles because of excessive noise.

[swexlin]

Welcome and gorgeous car! My diff was also replaced under warranty - whine and some clunk. Diff replacements here across all years of the Gen 5. Seems some of the Dana 44s weren't set up right and/or broken in right. My new diff whines a little but nothing like the original!

[SilverACR]

Check for oil around your front shocks which can look like a sticky tar on your spring threads.. Could be cavitation from a leaky shock. Once you have air in them they can make a Pop sound on quick compression or rebound.It’s the sound of air bubbles compressing quickly on either side of the piston.

[Viperawi]

Welcome back Chris! Weird to see you with 1 post!
Big Jump from 97 to ACRE...

Rear noises likely normal...... front noises NOT.

Is the aero all snug? No slack in cables? Underhood stuff snug? Strange

CONGRATS

Congrats on the purchase !
I do not have any of the noises as well, I did had some clicking at one stage and found some tension cables loose. Not saying it is the same noises but I would check those on a lift as JonB mention.

[1OF1ACR]

My rear a-arms did the same exact thing. The ball joints were dry. That fixed it. If you tried that, maybe grease the a-arm pivot points also. Mine is a '17 ACR.

[LuvSpeed]

I have a friend with a Viper ACRE. I remember being at a track with him looking for a noise in we thought was coming from the suspension. If I remember correctly, it ended up being a loose bolt in the Xbrace over the engine. Maybe check this?

[Bill Pemberton]

Great looking Snake and welcome back !!! As new as it is might be worth getting it into a Dodge Dealer with a certified tech , since warranty will take care of it and it will give you some peace of mind?

[Vegaskid]

Check bolts on x brace

[CajunViper09]

Check bolts on x brace

This has happened to me as well. I searched the engine compartment over and removed front wheels to shake front suspension. Ended up being loose front drivers side X-Brace! I hope this is the issue with the OP car.

[MacManInfi]

I am hopeful. Cross brace bolts were not finger loose, but a few of them were loose enough to easily get a full turn on the bolt. Hopefully that was it. It's raining today so I'll have to wait for Friday for another test drive. Thanks for the help!

[MacManInfi]

Wasn't the cross brace. It goes to the Dodge dealer on Monday. I'll let everyone know what they find.

[1of1TA1.0]

Likely the ball joints low on grease is my guess

[ViperGeorge]

I have a friend with a Viper ACRE. I remember being at a track with him looking for a noise in we thought was coming from the suspension. If I remember correctly, it ended up being a loose bolt in the Xbrace over the engine. Maybe check this?

Yup that was me. The noise was driving my crazy. I checked the suspension, hubs, everything but couldn't find it. Mark Jorgensen was there and I asked him to look at it. He walked up opened the hood, shook the X brace and said that's your noise. Took him 10 seconds to find it.

[MacManInfi]

I have an update. The dealer says the left front shock is bad and ordered a new one. I think/hope it's going to be covered under warranty since there is no damage to car and it only has 500 miles on it.

[SilverACR]

I have an update. The dealer says the left front shock is bad and ordered a new one. I think/hope it's going to be covered under warranty since there is no damage to car and it only has 500 miles on it.

I thought so as I have a rear that makes a little pop sound on compression. Both rears are heading to K&W soon for a rebuild. Good luck with your warranty. If the warranty doesn’t work out and if the price is anything like I think it is reach out to the manufacturer and ask them about the rebuild process. I can tell you that in my case the rebuild is a fraction of the cost of new. Best of luck!

[Bill Pemberton]

The car should still be under the 3/36 Manufacturers Limited Bumper to Bumper Warranty , and with 500 miles there should be no problem. Sure shocks are wear and tear items , but this is a situation of super low miles , etc. and I know we had cases similar to this at Woodhouse and Dodge covered it. I would simply ask the Dealer , " That is covered under my Limited Bumper to Bumper Warranty, right ? "

No need to be concerned , just ask for clarification. Congrats on the Winged Snake!

[quickster2]

I had the same ACR-E and the rear differential was replaced under warranty at 700 miles because of some factory screw-up with the fluid (that's what we were told). Some of these 2016 had issues with the diff...might be worth checking if you have any open recalls? Good luck with it.

FYI "the factory" only installed the diff and had nothing to do with the internals nor fluid. For sure many issues with the rear diff. I highly recommend changing the diff fluid with the latest P/N.

[MacManInfi]

FYI "the factory" only installed the diff and had nothing to do with the internals nor fluid. For sure many issues with the rear diff. I highly recommend changing the diff fluid with the latest P/N.

Will do, thanks!