Re: {Chrysler 300} Chrysler 300 Convertible Top Maintenance

[John Grady <jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

we have this issue on 57 300 C . All new parts PO filled it , we know not with what ! so FSM recommendations of years can be misleading 60 years later . Danny is right , if you have a choice (?all new parts) atf  seems best . Silicone brake fluid may be better even as rubber loves silicone , atf less friendly to rubber especially if rubber was non oil resistant ,and  intended for glycol . you do not know ? ask? 

Why talking   to cylinder supplier helps .

on other hand if already filled  and  need more = then what???  ,,although if  down you do need cylinders  . Wont “ get lucky” . Did that , lasted 3-4 top operations .

so how to tell ? 

we noticed gycol eats paint so put a painted wire dipped in ( coat hanger ) after trying it first in new gycol ( yes it ate that paint ) but stuff in car did not = atf 

Be sure to write on it what you have .. 

j 

On Dec 19, 2024, at 5:46 AM, mplindahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:



Hello All,

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.  FYI, the 1963 Chrysler shop manual reads, “Brake Fluid” so they must have been trying to find out which is the best fluid (including PS & ATF). 

 

Also, the fluid lines are not clear.  They are wrapped in a black material so there is no way to look for air in the lines.

 

Regards,

Mark Lindahl

 

From: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of RICK AND DEBBIE CLAPHAM
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2024 12:31 PM
To: John Grady <jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; dplotkin <dplotkin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Mwl1967 <mwl1967@xxxxxxx>; club chrysler <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: {Chrysler 300} Chrysler 300 Convertible Top Maintenance

 

My 62 says "ATF ONLY".

 

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
Get Outlook for Android

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From: chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of John Grady <jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2024 11:19:53 AM
To: dplotkin <dplotkin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Mwl1967 <mwl1967@xxxxxxx>; club chrysler <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: {Chrysler 300} Chrysler 300 Convertible Top Maintenance

 

usually just low fluid , you have a slow leak usually at one of cylinders . been there on dodge dart , common failure end of life on cylinder seals lets fluid out . there is a fill place on motor pump . 

find out what is in there before adding . sometimes brake fluid  sometimes an oil .See hydroelectic l convert top parts site for more info  on that . 

 strikes me if all new parts silicone brake fluid should be good . 

I would not  go crazy on electrical things  if motor runs about same speed  both ways , then all that is ok 

If pump jams or bad motor etc you hear it and breaker would open  

On Dec 15, 2024, at 1:10 PM, dplotkin <dplotkin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:



Contaminated DOT 3 which was routinely used in convertibles in the 60s can clog and turn to muck as it does in brake systems when left too long without flushing. ATF and other hydraulic oils present no such problem. 

 

Danny Plotkin 

 

 

 

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

 

 

-------- Original message --------

From: 'Mwl1967' via Chrysler 300 Club International <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Date: 12/15/24 11:31 AM (GMT-05:00)

To: 'chrysler 300 club' <chrysler-300-club-international@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

Subject: Re: {Chrysler 300} Chrysler 300 Convertible Top Maintenance

 

I can't imagine anything "clogged".  Was the fluid level low? If you filled it you may have air in the system. If I recall the level should be checked when the top is open, not closed. Does it have more or less trouble when the engine is running? Have you checked the ground connection at the motor? Disconnect and clean all the electrical connections at the switch and the motor itself. Remove the metal contacts from the plastic connectors and clean them by blasting, with a wire brush, or Deoxit solution. Lubricate all the pivot points in the top. If all else fails it may be time to replace the pump and/or cylinders .

 

Mike Laiserin

 

On Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 09:01:20 AM MST, <mplindahl@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

 

 

Hello All,

 

My convertible top lifts up just fine when the top is up and it has to move off the windshield to lower it.  It has a lot of problems lifting from the open position (resting in front of the trunk).

 

I tried cycling it, but each time the top is open, it struggles to lift up the first half of the cycle.  I have not checked to see if the hose/cylinder is clogged.  Is it best to start with the top of the cylinder or bottom?  Any other suggestions.

 

Thank you,

 

Mark Lindahl

’63 300 Conv.

 

PS-my pump is using brake fluid, not power steering fluid.

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