04 viper s hood problem

Sno-Xr

Sno-Xr

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Joined
Feb 4, 2005
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Clio,MI
I know Im not the only viper owner to have this problem, but this is a 04,Its suposed to have been corrected from the factory(it ain't work'n). The problem is that the belly pan pops out from under the hood near the ski-well! The next problem is that my dealer is being very unhelpful. They can't even diagnose the problem correctly,let alone get it covered under warrenty. This has been a problem since my first ride and has caused spidercracks on the hood. Can anyone help?
 
There are a few different tactics that you can take . . .

  1. Add hood straps to keep the hood in place.
  2. Call Yamaha Customer Support and complain until they do something about it.
  3. Keep working on the dealer (squeaky wheel approach) until they do something about it.
The last 2 options can take a lot more of your time, and be far more frustrating.
 
So far Ive done 2 and 3 , Customer support will only go by what the dealer tells them, So Im to the point of maybe taking it to another dealer(any suggestions). The dealer is afraid to replace the hood because they don't think Yamaha will reinburse them(Barking up the wrong tree, I believe the problem is the bellypan,not the hood,its either bowed out at this point or needs to be secured tighter to the bulkhead ) I do think Yamaha should replace the hood after the actual problem fixed.
 
you have the tunnel stiffeners right? you are on the right track with supporting the belly pan, chassis flex is the problem. i have rox sled treds and mine has never popped out. the update just keeps the hood from being damaged when it does happen. i would suggest bracing the belly pan yourself. you will probably get the run around with the dealer and get no results except a messed up hood.
 
dealers

get another dealer,theres nothing worse than having a bad or incompetant dealer to look after your sled. ;)!
 
I have a 02 that had similar problem. There was a update on it where thy shaved inside hood . It worked for me. Yamaha will give you a hood if your dealer shows pictures of your problem. I recieved new hood last year due to cracks. I hope you get your hood but will more than likely need a dealer that cares. GOOD LUCK!!!!
 
the fix is to rivot the tunnel up where it goes over the shock mount. there is a long area where there is no rivots and this lets it flex down and outward when the sled lands hard. when you drill and rivot hold the bellypan up before doing it. if you open your hood and lift up on the bellypan while you look at the upper shock mount it is kinda self expanitory.
 
Thanks for the input, I don't think i have a choice but to find a new dealer that can diagnose the problem. My hood has spidercracks where it gets hooked on the inside of the bellypan, I'm really going to be bummed if this doesn't get resolved. My last 7 sleds have been Yami's , and I really don't want to jump ship, but they don't seem to think this is a "DEFECT"(I would sure like to know what it is) Thanks again,Dave.
 
I actually pointed that out to the mechanic when i first dropped it off, he said you don't want to get into bellypan alignment(should have been my first clue to find a different dealer) thanks BETHEVIPER I deffinitly think that is the answer, but how do i get Yamaha to take care of the damaged hood? Any ideas?
 
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I put on extra straps and rivet the belly pan and it still pops out once in awhile
2002 Viper now it looks like the hood is cracking where I put the strap mounts!!!!
 
I know this is due to a poor design, but for my dealer not being able to pin-point the problem seems pretty sad! Yamaha support also suggested the extra hood straps, to me thats like GM telling me to drill two holes and installl hood pins in my new truck if the hood doesn't stay closed.
 
They should replace the hood. If you get new hood or used one, Where the hood starts coming up the belly pan to where it sits on the back end where hood straps are you will need to shave inside the hood. I used a regular grinder and you can't see a thing. My new hood was alot worse than original from factory and I thought it was never going to work but it did. Maybe they threw a 2002 hood on your 2004.
 
Did you have to remove any of the actual hood at this point, I can see where that would allow the middle area to set further down on the bellypan where it pops out?
 
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