In 1955, Chrysler released one of the first muscle cars, the 300. Unlike later 300s, the initial version did not utilize a letter after the numbers – that nomenclature started in 1956 with the 300-B. Between 1955 and 1971, the 300 continued getting larger with each generation, maxing out at an ocean liner-like 18.7 feet in the eighth generation. The 1971 model year marked the end for the 300 series, as Chrysler cut it from the lineup. The 300 returned in the form of the 300M in 1999, but reached its pinnacle in 2005 when a drastic redesign turned the 300 into the luxury-performance sedan it was meant to be. The 2006 300C came fitted with a 340-horsepower, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 standard. Replacing the starter on this complex machine is far simpler than you may think.
Open the trunk. Lift up on the floor panel inside the trunk – also known as the spare tire cover – and pull the panel out of the trunk to expose the battery. Loosen the nut on the negative battery cable end’s pinch bolt, using a combination wrench. Pull the negative battery cable end from the battery and set it aside to prevent accidental reconnection.
Raise the front of the vehicle with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the frame rails. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
Crawl under the vehicle on the passenger’s side of the engine until you reach where the engine and transmission connect. Find the starter attached to the transmission bell housing where the engine and transmission meet.
Remove the nut securing the battery wire to its stud on the rear of the starter, using a ratchet and socket. Pull the battery wire from the starter. Unplug the solenoid wire’s harness from the receptacle on the rear of the starter by just pulling it away from the receptacle.
Remove the three starter bolts – these bolts go through the rear of the transmission bell housing, then into the starter. Pull the starter toward the front of the 300C until the end of the starter is clear of the bell housing. Remove the starter from the vehicle.
Guide the nose of the starter – the end with the gear – into the hole in the transmission bell housing, then hand-thread the three starter bolts. You may have to wiggle the starter to get the gear to engage the teeth on the flex plate.
Plug the solenoid wire’s harness into its receptacle on the rear of the starter. Connect the battery wire to its stud on the starter and hand-thread the retaining nut. Tighten the retaining nut to 9 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket. Tighten the two starter bolts to 40 foot-pounds.
Raise the 300C off the jack stands with a floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the 300C to the ground.
Press the negative battery cable end onto the negative terminal on the battery and tighten the pinch bolt’s nut until it’s snug, using a ratchet and socket. Reinstall the floor panel into the trunk and lower it over the spare tire and battery.
