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http://public.fotki.com/Scotian/300m/interior/clock_face/
I have a 99 300M, and my dark tan steering wheel is turning really nasty looking from 45,000 miles of use. Has anyone found a really nice matching cover, or replacement, or way to restore it?
Thanks,
Jack
http://www.wheelskins.com
Damn only a 1/4" difference too, oh well DC probably lost out on a lot of aftermarket sales on this one.
I have the "factory" 12 disk changer in the trunk. I believe it is actually an Alpine unit rebadged. The wiring is definitely *not* preinstalled. My unit has 2 remote controls; 1 is wireless and about the size of a credit card. The other is at the end of a wire that runs along the center console.<<
Thanks for the info. Can you tell me where the display unit mounts in your 300?
It looks like the only way to fit a CD changer to a '99 300M is to use the factory CD changer (which is just an add-on FM changer) or an aftermarket FM changer. It's amazing to me that Chrysler would sell their top of the line automobile in '99 with a stereo (the upgraded unit, even!) not equipped with CD changer controls. (My wife's '96 Mitsubishi has one, for god's sake) Checking my '99 300M brochure shows indeed the only option is the "Dealer Installed" CD changer that is an FM changer. Aside the loss of sound quality, it also means tacking a display unit somewhere. Bummer.
So, who out there has a CD changer -- factory or aftermarket -- in their '99? Any info your could provide, especially brand, model #,and where you mounted the display unit, would be appreciated. Pics would be *greatly* appreciated.
TIA!!
This will most likely occur around the beginning of June, as I have two websites in the process of being constructed and want to get some of that work out of my hair. Thanks to the Workman's Compensation folks, they've delayed this surgery by almost TWO years due to one of their representatives 'forgetting' to send my legal counsel a key report from one of their doctors. Since my 'schweetie' has gotten to the point in her physical therapy where she can now drive herself, it is time for the doctor to 'heal hisself'. I estimate that I should be about about 4 weeks. I look forward to 'seeing' you tonight!
Doc
This will most likely occur around the beginning of June, as I have two websites in the process of being constructed and want to get some of that work out of my hair. Thanks to the Workman's Compensation folks, they've delayed this surgery by almost TWO years due to one of their representatives 'forgetting' to send my legal counsel a key report from one of their doctors. Since my 'schweetie' has gotten to the point in her physical therapy where she can now drive herself, it is time for the doctor to 'heal hisself'. I estimate that I should be about about 4 weeks. I look forward to 'seeing' you tonight!
Doc
Silver
To this day, I don't sleep well at night, have recurring nightmares, and ANY loud noise runs shivers up and down my spine. Oh, well...there was nothing on the tV like being here-2 blocks from Ground Zero....
Regards,
Doc
get well soon!
I am trying to find the magic formula that will make the yellow haze/discoloration leave my headlights. I guess the Florida sun plays hell with the plastic covers. Anyway, has anyone faced this problem, and successfully fixed it? What did you use to take the discoloration away?
Thanks,
Jack
Rick/geezer300M
TIA
I'm probably not as picky as some, but I don't notice any degradation in sound. I'm not unhappy with the FM converter, I'm just unhappy with the remotes.
Oh, and the Chrysler CD changer is a bit strange in random/shuffle mode. It tends to play one track from each CD before it plays a second track from any CD. This means if you have, say, a CD with 20 tracks and 11 CDs with 10 tracks each, the last 10 tracks you'll hear will come from the CD with 20 tracks.
Igor
Don't confuse this product with those perforated things that have been around Wal-Mart and Pep Boys for years. This is real leather. The wheel feels a lot better than the original "leather" wheel. I wasn't sure about the "2-tone", but after seeing the "half-wood" wheel on the 2001's I thought, hey, I would try for that effect. Well, it's not exactly the same, but for $50 it was well worth it! Here's my link:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/tsokol5/wheelskin.htm
I used a procedure called a "baseball" stitch. If anyone wants instructions on how to do this stitch (I think it looks more professional) give me a shout and I'll send it out or post it.
If you look closely at the second pic here:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/tsokol5/wheelskin.htm
You'll see I have the display unit mounted in the cubby hole above the ashtray, and I put the tiny remote on the center console to the left of the shifter with velcro.
Oh...one more thing: The "FM Modulation" units have increased *dramatically* in quality in recent years. They are WAY better than the first generation units. I can not tell the difference between a CD in the head unit and a CD in the changer!
It really looks good...thanks for the pictures..i would love to know how you did that baseball stitch...
thanks in advance.
Jack
2. Use a baseball stitch: The instructions with the Wheelskins show a typical loop stitch. If you want your wheel to look more like factory, use a baseball stitch. While there may be enough waxed thread to do this, if you decide to do a baseball stitch, let the folks at Wheelskins know when you order and they will include an extra needle/thread kit at no charge.
How do you do the stitch? I will do my best to describe it, but also look over a baseball or my link above to get an idea.
First, you have to have two needles. I took two thread kits. I threaded one end through each seam meeting in the middle at the bottom of the wheel like in the Wheelskins directions. I tied the two threads together and then had one thread going out each seam. Use holes that are directly across from each other. Then you cross the threads over and go under the seam and back out the other side. You will want to always cross the threads the same way (front one under or over) each time, or reverse them every time (front thread under one time, over the next) remain consistent!
Like with the loop stitch, you want to pull tight EVERY stitch then go on. You will see the V shape of the baseball stitch starting to form, and get the idea. If it doesn't work at first, start over.
When you come to a spoke, the baseball stitch has two advantages over the loop. First you have a thread on each side of the spoke and you can loop the thread on both sides. Second, with the baseball stitch, you can pull the seam tighter and closer to the spokes than with the look stitch. Take care to choose which pair of holes to end with....if you don't like what you see, do it over. (by doing it over, I mean un-stitch the last few pairs of stitches and go again, not start with all new thread. The waxed thread can take a lot of abuse. If you use two sets of thread, you almost have twice as much as you need so you can cut off some and start over if you have too). When you get to the other side of the spoke, pick up the next logical pair that you can close almost all the way and keep going. When you get to the bottom again, take the last stitch and then run the ends out the seam, tie a knot, cut off the excess and tuck the knot in the seam, as shown in the loop stitch instructions.
The hardest thing about the baseball stitch is keeping all that thread untangled, because it is so long, especially at the beginning. Take your time, and go slow.
Any questions, e-mail me:
tsokol5@comcast.net
I'm not sure if you're aware, you don't have to remove the inner door panel to access the speakers. Just pry the mesh grille out with a taped up flat screwdriver. The retaining tabs point outwards.
At the plant they use what looks like a sharpened white plastic tongue depressor.
speaking of baseball--Red Sox won AGAIN---15 to 3--go Martinez--go Sox
This is OUR year ya know. The curse of the Bambino is going to finally end!
Isn't it?
Easyrider300M
BTW, as a former mechanic, I'm going to add a page to my web site regarding my experiences working at 2 dealerships. Might lend some insight about what goes on...
For instance, Friday was always payday. We'd look for the best car on the lot brought in for service and at lunch-time and we'd all pile in to take it for a post-service test drive! We'd cash our checks and then go out for a "Baseball" lunch. Ya know what kinda lunch that is? "8-0"
Get it? (Ate Nothing!) !
BTW - It shouldn't take but a few minutes to replace a speaker. Just remove the grills carefully and there it is! If you need to, you can drill a couple of new holes. I also recommend putting a bead of Lexel (an elastic sealant) around the perimeter of the new speaker. It seals any air leaks isolating the front and back of the speaker and also helps absorb any stray vibration that may occur. Makes a world of difference! Lexel is sold in most hardware stores. Oh, and make sure you connect the new speaker with the correct polarity.
this might be my next mod
Kenwood and other brands make in dash CD players that play MP3s stored on a CD too if you're thinking of a whole or partial system upgrade.
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/product/product_type.jsp?productTypeId=20&productLineId=1
I spoke with the prior owner who claimed to have performed all regular maintenance.
I just rotated the tires in accordance with the owners manual recommended method (fronts to rears, left rear to right front and right rear to left front). Now my M pulls to the left and vibrates during breaking.
I don’t think its an alignment problem since there was on pulling prior to the rotation.
I know about warped rotors on non-PHG Ms so I figure that I need to have my rotors sanded level and maintain 100 lbs torque on all my lugs, but why the pulling? Could my tires need to be “trued”?
Any thoughts?
>>#16575 of 16592 ducati52 - CD Changer by toms99 May 01, 2002 (04:16 pm)
I think I installed the Pioneer 12 Disk changer the weekend after I got my 99 ! I mounted the cahnger in the trunk underneath the rear deck (in the pass. side corner.) Since I have an LHS I have more trunk space than you guys anyway <g>!)
If you look closely at the second pic here:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/tsokol5/wheelskin.htm
You'll see I have the display unit mounted in the cubby hole above the ashtray, and I put the tiny remote on the center console to the left of the shifter with velcro.<<
If the problems you describe were not present prior to the tire rotation, it is logical to assume that something changed with the rotation. It is possible they overtorqued a lug nut or 2 which may distort a brake disc- I would try re-torquing the lug nuts first before resurfacing your discs. Regarding the vibration, I would check the tires for pressure (underinflation causes more rolling resistance) & a missing wheel weight. I've had these knocked off during a rotation & had the shop rebalance that tire (they'll usu. do it free if they feel they lost the wheel weight). I would also check the tires for any obvious sidewall bulges or abnormal treadwear. Relatively minor tire problems which cause no problems in the rear may be quite noticible when that tire is moved to the front (esp. on a front-drive car). I am not sure I would invest in truing tires with 20K+ miles unless there was alot of good tread left.
Re- CTS: I like my 300M interior with the lux pkg MUCH better- classier and larger. Hard to compare the exterior styling as it is an entirely different theme (very angular vs. the smooth lines of the 300). I prefer the 300M, but I can see the appeal of the CTS. I have not driven one , so I cannot comment on its road manners.
Jon
It looks like I'm going to h ave to sell my 300M and I was wondering what you guys thought might be a good and fair price. It's a 2001 with 3900 miles - loaded PHP/PHG late model.. Chromes the works. looks as near to mint as you can get both inside and out.
Thanks in Advance
Pete
one of my tires was out of round/separated. took me 3 visits to 5* and 2 visits to Michelin tire dealer to have it resolved.
To repro this, ask the mechanic to get the car up on the lift, have another guy put it in Drive and spin the front wheels. observe how your tires behave. in my case, the right one was ok, the left one was jumping up and down. they both balanced fine. 5* also did alignment for me and it did not help.
when you go to the tire shop, insist that they replace the tire. balancing will wont help you. have them put the front tires on the back and see if you still have the pulling problem. if it goes away, you have a bad tire.
be prepared to the tire shop guys telling you your tire is fine. just ask for replacement under Michelin warranty once you find out which tire it is.
I *think* that the warped rotors have nothing to do with pulling.
It looks like I'm going to h ave to sell my 300M and I was wondering what you guys thought might be a good and fair price. It's a 2001 with 3900 miles - loaded PHP/PHG late model.. Chromes the works. looks as near to mint as you can get both inside and out.
Thanks in Advance
Pete