Chrysler 300, 300C & 300C SRT-8 The flagship of the Chrysler lineup offers the driver every bit of class of any European luxury sedan, combined with the availability of the Hemi, the engine which dominated the American Muscle Car Era

Deformed console side panel

Old Mar 1, 2021 | 07:11 AM
  #1  
Joseph Brando's Avatar
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Default Deformed console side panel

Hello
does anyone know how to remove the console panel on the passenger side?
I am attaching 2 pictures showing how this thing popped on the driver side and passenger side without any notice.
I think it can be glued back in if I figure out how to remove it.

Thanks

deformed panel

How to remove this panel?

 
Old Mar 1, 2021 | 09:58 AM
  #2  
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Me thinks those are snapped in place but you'll need a new panel. The deforming won't go back and stay. I've not had that issue or what some show on the door panels deforming, but I park in a garage so they don't get much direct sunlight.
 
Old Mar 1, 2021 | 10:40 AM
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Hey Captain
Thanks again for the swift reply.
Does that mean I can just pry on it and pop that piece out?
I did try without prying too much on it or else break a clip or something.

I did search all over you tube, most talking about removing the shifter and entire console. for good measures, I did remove the shifter and black laminate cover
no screws there for the side panels!
 
Old Mar 3, 2021 | 03:31 AM
  #4  
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This is what I have done. Not so sure how long it is going to last before deforming again!
I use two parts Power Epoxy, G plastic Clamp to hold it for an hour, and a piece of wood for even pressure and to avoid marks.
Pictures will illustrate the above

in the back injected molding separated from the plastic



Both sides were affected


Epoxy applied and pressed by G clamp

Finally installed back, not perfect but good enough for the time being

Hope the above helps, cheers
 

Last edited by Joseph Brando; Mar 3, 2021 at 03:35 AM.
Old Mar 3, 2021 | 07:00 AM
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Good on you Brando for getting back to us. I'm certain your efforts will benefit many forum members going forward, particularly as our 300s age.
 
Old Mar 3, 2021 | 09:34 AM
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Tarhealcracker, thanks man ! and It is a pleasure to help out forum members.
it seems to me our 300 cars show many problems, if not factory defects, not as they age but when young as well
For example, those panels should not warp or deform in this manner. A bit of quality material, Chrysler can and should do a better job to come up with higher quality, or else recall these defects! I admit, in my case, Saudi Arabia's climate is brutal, but the car has been kept in the garage.
The same holds true on my earlier thread on rockers' arm defects, and don't forget those "pretty headlights" Low beam headlights are so weak when high beam does not add much to the already weak dimmed low beam, and guess what? no help coming out of those tiny little fog lights unless you have Xenon!
Cheers

 
Old Mar 3, 2021 | 12:12 PM
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For sure Chrysler is spending no money on the 300 anymore. I was at my dealership last month and happened to look inside a RAM truck. It looked like the "star ship enterprise" in there. How I would love to have a 300 with that sort off treatment and I would buy one in a heart beat.

As for reliability, I have had good service from my loaded 2012 300c with 55,000 miles here in central FL. The power steering pump went out 6 months ago and the ACC switch cluster failed a few years back - both under warranty. Fingers crossed for continuation of the same.
 

Last edited by tarhealcracker; Mar 3, 2021 at 03:12 PM.
Old Mar 7, 2021 | 12:47 PM
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Yes and I do agree with your assessment,
RAM trucks are here to stay, investing more into them makes sense to Chrysler, it competes with Chevy and Ford F series trucks. For lack of investment into the 300s, my guess is, Chrysler's concept (strictly from a marketing point of view) may sooner or later discontinue the entire 300 production line. Ford did it to the Lincoln Towncar GM killed the Oldsmobile, and I don't see why Chrysler won't move in that direction.
The interesting part is we (the consumers) pay the price, that is to say, when they come up with a new model, it gets tested by us (the consumers) hence repairs/recalls, etc. 4-5 years of producing the same model, manufacturers learn their lesson, the last year of a model = the best car, well true for some models! ( compare a Towncar in 1990 with another one in 2010 ) ( a quick look at what BMW did to the mini morris or even the Range Rover)
I think the same holds true for Chrysler models ( think Lee Iacocca and/or Daimler-Chrysler efforts turning the 300 into 1/2 an E class Mercedes) that was a huge leap in terms of both aesthetic and quality.
With all honesty? I really don't think Fiat is willing to produce a 300 as Daimler did. Having said that, I wonder, what quality 2020 300 would have or even look like had Chrysler stayed with the German engineers of Daimler Benz!
 

Last edited by Joseph Brando; Mar 7, 2021 at 12:53 PM.
Old Jan 6, 2024 | 09:23 PM
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Default Fantastic job! Keep that epoxy on hand though...

Terrific job on that cheap Mopar craftsmanship! They should absolutely recall the interior trim! I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, the door trim, where it meets the window, will do the same thing. I'm sure, as handy as you are, you will be able to fix that also.

Good luck!
 
Old Feb 15, 2025 | 05:47 PM
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Default Console panels

Originally Posted by Joseph Brando
Hey Captain
Thanks again for the swift reply.
Does that mean I can just pry on it and pop that piece out?
I did try without prying too much on it or else break a clip or something.

I did search all over you tube, most talking about removing the shifter and entire console. for good measures, I did remove the shifter and black laminate cover
no screws there for the side panels!
Joseph, how did you finally get the panels off having same trouble also on left door panel.
 

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