Re: IML: 67 LeBaron brakes

[Christopher H <imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Then shouldn't your fixed calipers feel firmer than my floating ones, not
softer? 

And yes, an American luxury car from this era certainly has less steering
feedback than a concurrent European car, but Chryslers were probably the
most communicative of the Big Three. I remember being amused by friend's
Fords of that era where you could actually "throw" the steering wheel like a
ship's wheel and it was so over-assisted that the wheel would keep going a
quarter-turn or more. Can't do that on any of my Mopars!

The only all-drum car I have is my '63 Dart and it's manual everything
except for the pushbutton Torqueflite, but even its steering and brakes
require fairly modest effort and provide excellent feedback.

Chris in LA

On 1/16/07 6:52 AM, Mike Pittinaro at mechimike@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

>> But maybe there is some variation among 40yo cars,
>> depending on their usage
>> and service history. Mine also had the Budd calipers
>> replaced with later
>> Chrysler single-pistons long before I bought it (and
>> I bought it 18 years
>> ago), so maybe that makes mine an odd man out.
> 
> I imagine the difference between fixed vs. floating
> calipers makes a pretty big difference in brake feel.
>  
>> I've also never thought my power steering was numb
>> and light! Have you ever
>> driven a 1970s F*rd? The Imperial is direct and
>> smooth, even if I can drive
>> with my pinky... Maybe your steering box needs
>> adjustment (is there free play?).
> 
> Never driven a '70s Ford, but everyone has their own
> frame of reference.  I have a number of older European
> cars, and their steering has much better feel than
> even the Imperial.  My description of my '67's
> steering as 'numb and light' does not necessary
> contradict yours of 'direct and smooth'.  My steering
> box is tight and there is very little play.  But
> compared to, say, a '67 volvo, there is very little
> road feel and considerably less effort.  I do enjoy
> the Chrysler "single-finger power steering" feature,
> and it definitely makes for more relaxing road trips
> than in the volvo!
> 
> 
> 
> --Mike Pittinaro
> 
> 'To Engineer' was never meant to signify poking around with a mouse on a
> Nintendo-on-steroids computer system.
> 
> 'It's a shallow life that doesn't give a person a few scars'
> -- Garrison Keillor
> 
> 
>  
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