Radiator crossmember

[Adrian63]

Is this s flaw in the matrix or something I never noticed. My 2000 Chrysler 300M has only 4 -13mm (M8) bolts holding the upper radiator support thingy while my 99 has 6 .I need that thing but the one I got is missing 2 holes. ...I had these for years but never noticed that detail. Is there any other difference?

[M-Pressive]

I don’t think I have ever seen a six bolt cross member. Those two close to the headlights seem out of place.

I wonder if it was a 99 only thing.

[FIREM]

Wow, you may have discovered an unknown "de content " item we have missed for 20+ years. I have worked on every year M and not noticed this.
Asking those with 1999 and 2000 year cars to let us know it you have 4 or 6 bolts in this location.
Savings to manufacture: 4 less holes, 2 less threaded inserts, 2 less bolts, a few seconds assembly time X "x' number of cars..... crazy

[00R/T]

Wow, you may have discovered an unknown "de content " item we have missed for 20+ years. I have worked on every year M and not noticed this.
Asking those with 1999 and 2000 year cars to let us know it you have 4 or 6 bolts in this location.
Savings to manufacture: 4 less holes, 2 less threaded inserts, 2 less bolts, a few seconds assembly time X "x' number of cars..... crazy

My 2000 Intrepid was built 3/00 and has 4.

[Adrian63]

I don’t think I have ever seen a six bolt cross member. Those two close to the headlights seem out of place.

I wonder if it was a 99 only thing.

lol they are not ,I'm to lazy to remove the crossmember to show you that under it there are places where you can put another M8 13mm screw with washers all mechanics seem to love to "lose" .(btw I'd kill for a dozen of those ).

What I need to see is wtf its under the newer crossmembers ....I'd think having 2 extra bolts makes the front stiffer . I guess I will have to drill holes in the newer crossmember.

[Adrian63]

Wow, you may have discovered an unknown "de content " item we have missed for 20+ years. I have worked on every year M and not noticed this.
Asking those with 1999 and 2000 year cars to let us know it you have 4 or 6 bolts in this location.
Savings to manufacture: 4 less holes, 2 less threaded inserts, 2 less bolts, a few seconds assembly time X "x' number of cars..... crazy

lol you are like the God of 300M's go outside and have a look please cuz I'm sure you probably have both versions. I wonder if those types of crossmembers are any different....but yea they probably "saved" some of those 13mm screws with washers the mechanics around here keep stealing .

I hit a skoda fabia (totaled it lol ,idiot infront hit the brake for no reason ) at a stop light. I only dented the lip of the hood ,that crossmember and the bumber reinforcement (strong cars I'd say lol ) ....after I fixed all the crap I had trouble aligning the hood and that's how I found that crossmember being abit crooked and makes the right side of the hood go above the fenders.I have a week now measuring the car from all angles and now I'm stuck at the bolt holes problem.

[FIREM]

I am confident you can leave those bolts out and not have any problem that they are missing. If memory serves I recall there is a tab in the forward bolt location under the brace on my and other 02 cars.

[Adrian63]

I am confident you can leave those bolts out and not have any problem that they are missing. If memory serves I recall there is a tab in the forward bolt location under the brace on my and other 02 cars.

oh so you have a place where to put the bolts but they forgot to drill the holes in the crossmember. This is weird. You'd think a stiffer crossmember is something better. There is an up side to the missing 2 bolts ...not having those two bolts allows a easier front end alignment . The hood position is pretty much decided by the location of the latch which will move the hood left or right and the latch gets connected into the damn crossmember ....so if you can move the crossmember more freely you have more adjustment options.

p.s. posting 2 pics with my hood for those curious to know how it looks after it totaled a poor skoda

[FIREM]

Yard trip today confirmed 99-00 6 bolt

Build Date 9/99 so its a 2000

[Adrian63]

Yard trip today confirmed 99-00 6 bolt

Build Date 9/99 so its a 2000

You sure are scary when you start doing research on these cars lol ...lets hope its the only difference because I can't find another 99 crossmember around this continent and I can get 2 holes in the newer crossmember just to look like 99 factory correct . I know mine is crooked because from the top of the strut bolt there is a difference from Left and right of about 10mm ...I don't know how perfect these cars were from factory but 10mm imo is above the margin of error.

Oh and do you happen to know where you can buy that style of bolt? I'd kill for a dozen of 13mm with washers OEM style ..its stupid that the things I need you guys throw away. Even though I'm a bolt hoarder and I had a 300M for parts somehow I don't have enough 13mm and 10mm ...There are tons of 10mm in our cars but each 10mm is different....i had like 2 buckets of 300M bolts i cleaned sorted,still not enough that type of bolt

[FIREM]

Here in the USA we have “ Fastenal” a supplier of virtually every nut bolt and fastener. Salvage yards loaded with pocket hardware. We do have International members and maybe someone near you could help with hardware. Shipping would likely be ridiculous from here .

[Adrian63]

Here in the USA we have “ Fastenal” a supplier of virtually every nut bolt and fastener. Salvage yards loaded with pocket hardware. We do have International members and maybe someone near you could help with hardware. Shipping would likely be ridiculous from here .

Shipping from US for small crap is always @$20-30 so that's not a problem. The problem is when I buy it from stores not private sellers that can "gift" me my crap. Once it gets here it gets the socialist treatment ....VAT on whole price + shipping + import fees ,tax on tax ...and so I end up with the stupid M8 bolt (got few from Rockauto) gets to cost more than the part that is held in place by that bolt. I understand its an issue with me ,I pay too much attention to small details ,but other have other hobbies ,I like american cars and love to keep the 100% like they left the factory ,that includes bolts and don't get me started with plastic nuts ,rivets ,etc lol