Re: [Chrysler300] Whoa, Nelly!

In a message dated 5/2/2016 7:24:23 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

As I recall, probably from a MI Mag article, the California Highway Patrol held their road tests for new Cruisers.

As much as they wanted them for the power and speed, the Mopars failed due to the Driveshaft E-Brakes.

Seemed like when they were jammed on they just snapped the driveshaft or ripped off their mounts, both disabling the cars.

If not for that, you left coasters would have had some awesome CHP cars...

Ray

On Mon, May 2, 2016 at 9:11 AM, 'John Grady' jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300] <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Going back to 50’s when I learned to drive , and no park, (stick anyway) part of driving test and instructions prior was to always cut front wheels on a hill so it would jam to curb if it moved. Maybe Boston thing..have a lot of hills. My test consisted of parallel parking in a tight single car metered spot on a steep hill in Brighton , stick shift, huge stress on me, ---and failing to cut wheels, set brake meant flunk. NEW 60 pioneer black hardtop 318 stick. Wish I had it now.

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 'Rich Barber' c300@xxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2016 9:52 PM
To: 'Ryan Hill'; 'Don Warnaar'; 'Noel Hastalis'; scooter465@xxxxxxx
Cc: 'swotring'; 'David Schwandt'; 'Dave Dumais'; 'yahoogroups'; 'Ma Mo'; 'Bobby Dunn'; 'Donald Cole'
Subject: [Chrysler300] Whoa, Nelly!

It seems to me that the parking brake may be a little less effective in preventing my cars from rolling backwards. Perhaps the rear brakes are more self-energizing when rolling forward. On my vehicles, I really stomp or yank the parking brake pedal or lever when parking on an uphill grade—and I do this before placing the selector in “Park”. This way, I can get in, stomp the brake pedal, release the parking brake and hope to easily move the selector from “Park” to “Drive” or “Reverse”. Our little ’86 Chrysler T&C convertible (K-car) is particularly difficult to get out of Park if the proper parking brake process has not been implemented. I know that some cars have had to get a little tug or push to take the pressure off of the parking pawl. And with stick shifts, fuggittaboutit unless you have a competition clutch—and don’t count on that.

Way too many people have been run over by their own vehicles while the vehicle was in “Park” or at least cringed as they saw their car going out on its own to play in traffic or the neighbor’s pool. Don’t let it happen to you. Thanks to the members who have shared their horribles. I’ll add that a farmer friend was run over by his own Ford 3/4T truck as it slipped out of “Park” on its own with the motor running and started backing up. He attempted to get back in and slipped under the LF tire which cracked his pelvis. We can and should learn from these shared horribles.

Much too late for a recall on our letter cars, but the problem is applicable to ALL vehicles—new and old.

Rich Barber

Brentwood, CA (Kind of a belt and suspenders sort of guy)

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ryan Hill ryan_hillc300@xxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Friday, April 29, 2016 3:08 PM
To: Don Warnaar <300country@xxxxxxx>; Noel Hastalis <cpaviper@xxxxxxxxxxx>; scooter465@xxxxxxx
Cc: swotring <swotring@xxxxxxx>; David Schwandt <finsruskw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Dave Dumais <dave.dumais@xxxxxxxxx>; yahoogroups <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Ma Mo <60chev@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Bobby Dunn <bdunn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Donald Cole <mr300k@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [Chrysler300] Setting the parking brake . 64 300

Agree completely. It baffles me when I see people who should know better, not setting the parking brake before releasing the brake pedal on automatics, particularly on any sort on uneven surface. If you choose to call it an "emergency brake" and make that argument, it might not be much help in an emergency if you never use it and keep it freed up.

Ryan Hill

To: cpaviper@xxxxxxxxxxx; Scooter465@xxxxxxx
CC: swotring@xxxxxxx; finsruskw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; dave.dumais@xxxxxxxxx; chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; 60chev@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx; bdunn@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; mr300k@xxxxxxxxx
From: Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 29 Apr 2016 15:45:39 -0400
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Setting the parking brake . 64 300

On any car, vintage or modern, I always set the parking brake unless on completely level surfaces, such as in my garage.

It really bothers me when I see people shove the car in park and then let it roll a bit until the pawl engages. Puts too much stress on the pawl.

By using the parking brake regularly, it never corrodes in place to the point where it can't be used. Of course, with the early 300s with no park position, it must be used. And even then, as Dave Schwandt said, having a wheel chock handy is a good idea.

Don Warnaar

--

Ray Jones. Y'all come on down an see us. Ya hear?