Pressure Plate

Remove the transmission and clutch assembly to access and replace the pressure plate on a 1992 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10 with manual transmission.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Pressure plate assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Clutch disc (if replacing) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Pilot bearing (recommended) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Transmission drain plug washer × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Flywheel bolts (if reusing flywheel) × 8 — TTY bolts, use new if specified

Fluids

• Mopar MS-9224 or 75W-90 GL-4 manual transmission fluid — 4.2 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on a level surface and engage parking brake.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable.
3. Raise vehicle and support securely on jack stands at all four corners.
4. Remove both rear wheels to provide access to suspension components if needed.
5. Allow exhaust system to cool completely before working near it.

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain transmission fluid
   If the transmission is equipped with a drain plug, position a drain pan beneath the transmission, locate the drain plug on the transmission case, and remove it using the appropriate socket to drain the fluid. Note: on the T-56 the fluid may be drained via a side plug and full draining is not always required to remove the unit. Inspect the drain plug threads and washer condition. Set aside the drained fluid for proper disposal.
   Torque spec

   Drain Plug34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Disconnect driveshaft
   Mark the driveshaft-to-differential flange orientation for reassembly. Remove the 4 bolts securing the driveshaft to the rear differential flange. Lower the driveshaft slightly and slide it rearward to separate it from the transmission output shaft. Support the driveshaft and remove it from under the vehicle. Cap or plug the transmission output shaft opening to prevent fluid leakage and contamination.
3. 3

   Remove exhaust components
   Disconnect the exhaust system at the catalytic converter flanges or at the point where it interferes with transmission removal. On the Viper, this typically means disconnecting the side-exit exhaust system at the manifold/pipe flanges as needed to gain transmission clearance. Remove exhaust hangers as necessary and lower the exhaust system enough to provide clearance for transmission removal. Support the exhaust to prevent it from hanging on the oxygen sensors or catalytic converters.
4. 4

   Disconnect shift linkage and clutch hydraulics
   Remove the shifter assembly. The Viper uses a direct top-mounted shifter that bolts to the transmission — remove the shift boot and the shifter retaining bolts, then lift the shifter out. Disconnect the clutch hydraulic line from the slave cylinder at the transmission bellhousing. The Viper uses a hydraulic clutch release system with an external slave cylinder. Remove the fasteners securing the slave cylinder to the bellhousing and move it aside without disconnecting the hydraulic line from the master cylinder if possible. If the line must be disconnected, cap both ends and be prepared to bleed the clutch system during reassembly.
5. 5

   Disconnect electrical connections
   Locate and disconnect all electrical connectors from the transmission. This includes the reverse light switch, vehicle speed sensor (if equipped), and any other sensors mounted to the transmission case. Mark or photograph connector locations to aid reassembly. Secure wiring harnesses out of the way to prevent damage during transmission removal.
6. 6

   Support transmission and remove crossmember
   Position a transmission jack under the transmission and secure it with the jack saddle and safety chain. Raise the jack slightly to take the weight off the transmission crossmember. Remove the fasteners securing the transmission mount to the crossmember, then remove the fasteners securing the crossmember to the frame rails. There are typically 4-6 bolts total securing the crossmember. Lower and remove the crossmember from under the vehicle.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove bellhousing and transmission mounting bolts
   Locate all bolts securing the transmission bellhousing to the engine block. On the Viper V10, there are typically 6-8 bellhousing bolts of varying lengths positioned around the perimeter of the bellhousing. Note the location and length of each bolt for proper reinstallation. Remove all bellhousing bolts while ensuring the transmission is securely supported on the transmission jack.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Separate and lower transmission
   With all bolts removed and the transmission securely supported, carefully slide the transmission straight back away from the engine. The transmission input shaft must slide out of the clutch disc and pilot bearing without binding. Keep the transmission level to prevent hanging the input shaft on the clutch disc or pressure plate. Once the input shaft clears the bellhousing, lower the transmission jack and remove the transmission from under the vehicle. Be aware of the weight and use proper lifting technique or additional help.
9. 9

   Inspect clutch components and mark pressure plate
   With the transmission removed, inspect the exposed clutch assembly. Check the clutch disc for wear, glazing, oil contamination, or broken springs. Inspect the pressure plate fingers for wear and the friction surface for hot spots, scoring, or warping. If reusing the pressure plate and flywheel, use a paint marker or punch to mark the pressure plate-to-flywheel orientation to maintain balance. This is especially important on high-performance engines like the Viper V10.
10. 10

    Remove pressure plate bolts
    Insert a pry bar or clutch alignment tool through the clutch disc to prevent the flywheel from rotating. Loosen the pressure plate bolts in a gradual criss-cross pattern, turning each bolt 1-2 turns at a time to release spring pressure evenly and prevent warping the pressure plate or flywheel. There are typically 6 bolts securing the pressure plate to the flywheel. Once all bolts are loose, remove them completely and set them aside.
11. 11

    Remove pressure plate and clutch disc
    Carefully remove the pressure plate from the flywheel dowel pins, supporting it as you pull it away. The clutch disc will likely fall free once the pressure plate is removed, so be prepared to catch it. Remove both components and set them aside. Inspect the flywheel friction surface for heat damage, scoring, or warping. Check flywheel bolts for tightness if the flywheel is being reused.
12. 12

    Clean and inspect flywheel and pilot bearing
    Clean the flywheel friction surface with a clean cloth dampened with brake cleaner or alcohol. Remove any oil, grease, or debris. Use a wire brush to clean the flywheel bolt holes and pressure plate mounting surface. Inspect the pilot bearing in the end of the crankshaft for roughness, noise, or excessive play. Replace the pilot bearing if there is any doubt about its condition, as it requires transmission removal to replace. Use a slide hammer with internal pilot bearing puller to remove the old bearing if replacement is needed.
13. 13

    Install new pressure plate
    Install the new or resurfaced clutch disc onto the flywheel, ensuring the disc is oriented correctly with the spring hub facing toward the transmission (the side marked 'flywheel side' faces the flywheel). Insert the clutch alignment tool through the clutch disc and into the pilot bearing to center the disc. Position the new pressure plate over the clutch disc and onto the flywheel, aligning the dowel pins and the balance marks if reusing components. Start all pressure plate bolts by hand. Remove the alignment tool temporarily if needed to access bolts, then reinsert it. Tighten the pressure plate bolts gradually in a star pattern, 1-2 turns at a time to evenly compress the pressure plate springs. Once all bolts are snug, torque them to the specified value in a star pattern. Leave the clutch alignment tool in place until the transmission is ready to install.
14. 14

    Prepare transmission for installation
    Inspect the transmission input shaft splines for wear or damage. Clean the splines with a clean cloth. Apply a small amount of high-temperature clutch grease to the input shaft splines and pilot bearing. Do not over-grease, as excess grease can contaminate the clutch disc. Verify the clutch release bearing and fork are properly installed and functioning smoothly on the transmission. Position the transmission on the transmission jack and secure it.
15. 15

    Install transmission
    Raise the transmission into position behind the engine. Align the transmission input shaft with the clutch alignment tool protruding from the clutch disc. Carefully slide the transmission forward, keeping it level and aligned. The input shaft must enter the pilot bearing smoothly without binding. If resistance is felt, do not force it; lower the transmission slightly and recheck alignment. Once the input shaft is fully seated and the bellhousing contacts the engine block, remove the clutch alignment tool through the opening at the bottom of the bellhousing. Install all bellhousing bolts and tighten them to specification in a criss-cross pattern.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Install crossmember and transmission mount
    Raise the transmission slightly with the transmission jack to align the transmission mount with the crossmember. Position the crossmember into place and install the fasteners securing it to the frame rails. Install the transmission mount-to-crossmember fasteners. Torque all crossmember and mount fasteners to specification. Lower the transmission jack slightly to allow the mount to support the transmission weight, then remove the transmission jack.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
17. 17

    Reconnect components
    Reconnect all electrical connectors to the transmission, including the reverse light switch and speed sensor. Reinstall the clutch slave cylinder to the bellhousing and torque the mounting fasteners to specification. Reconnect the clutch hydraulic line if it was disconnected. Reconnect the shift linkage to the transmission shift lever, ensuring all clips and fasteners are properly secured. Verify all connections are tight and properly routed.
18. 18

    Install driveshaft
    Clean the driveshaft splines and apply a light coating of gear oil or transmission fluid. Slide the driveshaft forward into the transmission output shaft, aligning the splines. Align the driveshaft flange with the differential flange using the marks made during disassembly. Install the 4 flange bolts and torque them to specification in a criss-cross pattern.
19. 19

    Reinstall exhaust components
    Raise the exhaust system back into position and reconnect it at the collector flanges or catalytic converter joints. Install new exhaust gaskets if the originals are damaged. Torque exhaust flange bolts to specification. Reinstall exhaust hangers and verify the exhaust system has adequate clearance from the driveshaft, transmission, and chassis components.
20. 20

    Refill transmission and final checks
    Install a new crush washer on the transmission drain plug and install the plug, torquing it to specification. Locate the transmission fill plug on the side of the transmission case. Remove the fill plug and add the manufacturer-specified transmission fluid (verify against factory documentation — the T-56 typically calls for Dexron/ATF or a specified synthetic MTF, not gear oil) until fluid begins to drip from the fill hole. The capacity is approximately 4.2 quarts. Install the fill plug with a new washer if equipped and torque to specification. Reinstall the rear wheels if removed and torque lug nuts to specification. Lower the vehicle. Reconnect the negative battery cable. If the clutch hydraulic system was opened, bleed the clutch following the proper procedure.
    Torque spec

    Drain Plug34 Nm (25 lb-ft)

    Fill Plug34 Nm (25 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to specification in the proper sequence as noted in each step.
2. Ensure the clutch disc is oriented correctly with the spring hub facing the transmission before installing the pressure plate.
3. Use new crush washers on the transmission drain and fill plugs.
4. Bleed the clutch hydraulic system if any hydraulic lines were disconnected.
5. Verify all electrical connections are properly seated and secured.
6. Check that the exhaust system has adequate clearance and is not contacting the driveshaft or chassis.

Verification

• With the vehicle on the ground and engine off, verify the clutch pedal has proper feel and returns fully.
• Start the engine and verify no abnormal noises from the transmission or clutch area.
• With the engine running and clutch pedal depressed, verify the transmission shifts smoothly into all gears.
• Test drive the vehicle to verify proper clutch engagement and disengagement, smooth shifting, and no vibration or noise.
• Check under the vehicle for any fluid leaks from the transmission or clutch hydraulic system.
• Verify the reverse lights function properly when reverse gear is selected.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle