300M clunking is fixed

It definitely applies to the LH, possibly to some (but definitely not
all) other cars. In contrast to the inner bushing that pivots
perpindicular to the long axis of the tie rod on the LH car, rack &
pinion steering cars I had in the past had axially oriented ball joints
going into the rack from the tie rods - unlimited rotation at the rack
joint, so no binding possible. With the LH design, those bushings fix
the orientation of the tie rod on rack (inner bushing) end. The other
end (outer end) has a limited rotation (around the tie rod length axis),
so if the alignment guy biases it all the way over in one direction, you
get the stress/binding that crushes and severely wears the bushing when
the steering wheel is turned from lock to lock and the tie rod geometry
changes (forcing some small but definite rotation of the tie rod about
the length axis).

HTH

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Where can I find a list of cars equipped with interference engines? Does the
300M have one?

Ken

 

http://www.gates.com/downloads/download_common.cfm?file=TBR05.pdf&folder=brochure
(give it plenty of time to download (also can link it from here:
http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=2256&location_id=3487)

An asterisk next to an engine listing = interference. 300M 3.2 (not
listed for the M?) and 3.5L engines '99-'04 are all shown as
interference. I'm not sure everyone agrees that all listings are
accurate in that regard, but I have no opinion.

That guide contains only engines with timing *belts*. The 2.7L (used in
other LH cars and in European 300M's) is chain driven, so does not show
up - it is interference.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')

 

Bill,


Many thanks!

--
"Now Phoebe Snow direct can go
from thirty-third to Buffalo.
From Broadway bright the tubes run right
Into the Road of Anthracite"
Erie - Lackawanna

 

You're welcome!

 

There was some early conflicting information about whether the 2nd
generation LH 3.5 was interference or not but most people now believe that
it is. But don't make your decision strickly on whether an engine is
interference and uses a timing belt. The 2.7 has a chain but has major
other problems. The 3.5 is known to be extremely reliable. One place to
check engines is in timing belt catalogs. They often indicate whether the
application engine is interference.

 

So I called up the Chyrsler dealer today and told them about their screw up.
I received nothing more than an apology and a promise that they would take
it up with the mechanics who screwed up.

Practically speaking, there is nothing much you can do these days to get
satisfaction in a case like this. If you decided to sue them, you would need
expert testimony to support your case which isn't worth the expense. Also,
work orders are written in a manner such that the dealer could argue that
they are being paid to do something, and whether it corrects a problem is
irrelevant.

Any way, as I explained to my wife, this is why I buy an extended warranties
and usually get rid of the car a few months before the warranty is over.
Having a warranty on a used car makes it easy to sell. In this case my
wife wanted to keep the car, and then she decided to give it to her parents.
Hopefully it will have no issues for a while.

We replaced our 300M and Avalon with a Honda Odyssey and Accord Hybrid (yes,
I know the hybrid feature is a complete waste of money but she wanted it).
We bought zero deductible, 8 year 120k mile Honda service agreements for
each of them for about $1200 each so I won't have any out of pocket repairs
for a while. The minivan in particular, with all of the motorized doors,
it is hard to believe that it won't eat up $1200 in repairs at some point.

We are getting the 300M cleaned up and touched up and then shipping it to
Florida. Another new experience.

 

Art,

I had thought about it. My problem is that I'm too tall and not comfortable
with this car. I have looked at many cars and have decided that I will sell
my M and get into a new 300C.

I really liked the looks of this car but since my wife no longer commutes to
work, we really don't need the car.

I'm still looking at reviews of the 300C. Interesting comment from Consumer
Reports is the reliability of the vehicle. CR says the reliability of the
six cylinder is average and the eight is below average (you saw this too)
but what CR fails to report is WHY the hemi is below average. Specifically,
they don't say so I'm at a loss here.

Ken

--
"Now Phoebe Snow direct can go
from thirty-third to Buffalo.
From Broadway bright the tubes run right
Into the Road of Anthracite"
Erie - Lackawanna

 

I don't think they'd be using that in the new line if DC didn't at least
think they had resolved those issues (primarily sludge) with some certainty.

Bill Putney
(To reply by e-mail, replace the last letter of the alphabet in my
address with the letter 'x')