Re: [Chrysler300] 300F Brakes

Be very careful with silicone fluid. I used them on a Ford master cylinder and it caused the rubber in the master cylinder to swell and would not let the brakes release. Took me a long time to figure this out as I had no idea what was going on as the cups seemly looked fine on inspection. The brakes were OK until about the third or fourth application and then they would start to lock and soon completely lock up making the car immobile. That is big trouble.

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Steve Albu saforwardlook@xxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Friday, July 18, 2014 2:02 PM
To: John Lazenby
Cc: Chrysler 300 List
Subject: Re: Fwd: [Chrysler300] 300F Brakes

Yes, the use of silicone fluid will cause the switches to fail frequently as you have pointed out, but while I have the original type switch still on my master cylinder with some wire leads hooked up, it is no longer functional. Rather, I have rigged up an all electric switch that goes under the dash inside the car that comes from later Chrysler products and works off the brake pedal arm position. It is now the functional switch. Since the original switch never seems to leak, I leave it in place so it looks original, but rely on the reliable electric switch instead. The silicone fluid has been in place for some time and has made the past frequent servicing of the brake system a thing of the past. I love the silicone fluid and will never go back to the use of conventional brake fluid in any of my cars.

Steve Albu

On Fri, Jul 18, 2014 at 11:47 AM, John Lazenby <french_fryguy@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

We have two cars with steel brake hoses and the feel is better than the factory hoses. As I replace hoses I'll upgrade as the cost is close.

One car has silicone fluid and I replace stop light switches at least twice a year as they fail. I never have that problem with conventional fluid.

John Lazenby

On Friday, July 18, 2014 11:30 AM, "Steve Albu saforwardlook@xxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]" <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Steve Albu <saforwardlook@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, Jul 18, 2014 at 11:29 AM
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] 300F Brakes
To: Terry Mctaggart <terrymct999@xxxxxxxxx>

Can't answer your direct question, but my F has pretty much the same problem - but I also have silicone fluid in mine and I am confident I have all the air out of the lines. The one thing I have not had a chance to do is replace the rubber front brakes hoses, and perhaps the rear one too. I have read in another past post that someone put steel braided brake lines on their car and it solved the problem. Apparently the old hoses stretch too much is being implied.

Steve Albu

On Fri, Jul 18, 2014 at 7:05 AM, Terry Mctaggart terrymct999@xxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300] <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

The saga continues. New master cylinder; new wheel cylinders. Brake adjustments at the wheels are right on. No air in the lines. Car stops straight and true, but the brake pedal is low. According to the shop manual, the adjustment for "pedal free play" is in the conection between the brake pedal assembly and the master cylinder. This connection is a two-part piece, Part 1 being "the end" which connects to the brake pedal assembly, and Part 2, called "the master cylinder push rod", which screws into Part 1. This screw end provides the adjustment. In my car, there is only one part, hence no adjustment is possible. Does anybody know where I might be able to find a two piece end/push rod assembly? Terry McTaggart