RE: Fwd: [Chrysler300] RE: coil springs

["'Rich Barber' c300@xxxxxxx [Chrysler300]" <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm pretty sure the driver's side springs in most cars are a little stiffer
so that the car is more likely to ride level with one of us brutes driving
the brute and alone in the car.  Engines are also offset a little to the
right-maybe to generate more floor space for the driver and pedals as well
as offset driver mass.  Oval track racing suspensions might be stiffer on
the RHS.

 

Ride height on the C-300 was about 1.5" lower than the NY.  The stiffer
front springs acted to reduce bottoming out with this "slammed" suspension.

 

One must make sure the F&R springs are "300 spec".  I have noticed that
300's with replacement or re-arched rear springs often have a
jacked-up/raked appearance.  The spring rate may be correct, but the arching
curve appears to be excessive.  While some after-installation settling may
be built in, I don't think they came from the factory that way.  Our C-300
was actually kind of low in the rear and came equipped with rear helper
springs and a trailer hitch.  The original long-term owner may have been
dragging a horse trailer or camper around the Colorado Springs area.  New
shocks, no helper springs and the tired old rear springs gave it a rather
low and wicked look.  A favorite picture is attached for the individuals and
available for the interested.

 

My notes show these spring rates in lbs/inch as per AMA spec's:

 


 

C-300

New Yorker

Windsor


Front

800

480

480


Rear

160

100

90

 

The C-300 rear springs were seven-leaf instead of five or six-leaf in the
other sedan/coupe/convertible  models.  Crown Imp's and wagons also had
seven-leaf rear springs.  

 

In spite of the much stiffer front springs, I did not find the ride in our
'55 C-300 to be anything but firm.  But I drive a Jeep and a 4WD Durango so
may not be used to a boulevard ride.  I do recall that manufacturers of cars
at the time sought that mushy boulevard ride in the '50's, so a stiff
suspension as on a C-300 would have been unusual.  There are stories of
prospective buyers coming in to a Chrysler dealer after another big NASCAR
win or Tom McCahill article and test driving the C-300, finding it too stiff
and buying a New Yorker or Windsor instead.  That was certainly the idea
behind the low -production high-priced 300's.  It's always about selling
cars, but first the customer must be drawn into the showroom.  

 

Utilizing the Chrysler 300 mystique/concept to draw customers in continues
today after a 26-year hiatus of (none built 1972-1997).  Brand recognition
is amazing.  Viva Chrysler 300's.  Someday soon, a coupe and/or convertible?
Seems like they could create one easily on the Challenger chassis.  Maybe
bring it out in just three colors, tan leather seats, hellcat engine and
red, white and blue side emblems.  Harrier than a Borneo gorilla in a
raccoon suit (thanks, Tom).

 

C-300-less,

Rich Barber

Brentwood, CA

 

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of 'John Grady' jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 7:54 AM
To: grahamowner@xxxxxxxxx; 'Lazenby, John' <french_fryguy@xxxxxxxxx>; 'Bob
Jasinski' <rpjasin@xxxxxxxxxxx>; 'Noel Hastalis' <cpaviper@xxxxxxxxxxx>; 'Ed
Cornish' <ncrdawgn@xxxxxxxxxx>; 'Bob Merritt' <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: FW: Fwd: [Chrysler300] RE: coil springs

 

  

Hi all, they appear to be the right things, NOS, have instruction tag
attached R +L. it appears wire size on passenger is slightly thinner, hard
to believe but that would make it slightly less stiff , but a really tiny
difference .

Whatever, R +L are different! That reflects a lot of care by someone
designing it.

The "dents" appear to be little squares stamped into metal on OD of turn,
and they are different . I am sending the pix to those who commented, as I
understand server does not a pass pics .

I would like same $ as club gets as wholesale price for the leaf springs ,
plus shipping . Appear to be real 55 300 front springs, NIB.

-----Original Message-----
From: ncrdawgn@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:ncrdawgn@xxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:ncrdawgn@xxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Monday, June 06, 2016 9:44 AM
To: jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
Subject: Re: Fwd: [Chrysler300] RE: coil springs

Hi John,
The springs look very similar and hard to get a wire size. Driver side is
.810-.814. Pass side is .804-.812. Both are 5 5/8" wide, and 9 coils.
Heights are about the same, D 13 3/4", P 13 1/2". 

It is hard to tell in the picture, but the driver side looks to have two
deep dents and a shallow one on the bottom side of the coil. There are three
deep dents on the pass side. I didn't see any numbers. 

Ed

Please note: message attached

From: John Grady <jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:jkg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >
To: cornish ed <ncrdawgn@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:ncrdawgn@xxxxxxxxxxx> >
Subject: Fwd: [Chrysler300] RE: coil springs
Date: Sat, 4 Jun 2016 18:40:11 -0400

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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Posted by: "Rich Barber" <c300@xxxxxxx>
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