tight steering linkage

[imported_fordmerc]

A frequent bit of advice is to "tighten the steering linkage". I have a '41 120. What does this mean??? If it refers to adding additional thin shim washers, where do you get them? (In the local car parts stores they laugh; the hardware stores have never seen them.)If it refers to shims around/through the holes and the rods through them, where do you get these??? Manuals are not helpful. Comments would be appreciated.

A secondary problem is the unavailability of appropriately sized brake line copper washers. A source would also be appreciated.

[Owen_Dyneto]

There are 3 adjustments possible, all of which are outlined quite nicely in the 41 Packard 110/120 owner's manual. If you don't have one of these, you should buy a reprint. The most common of the three is the roller shaft end play adjustment which is made with the adjustment screw on the top cover plate. Adjustment of the roller mesh by shims requires removal of the roller shaft from the gear housing, and from my own experience is rarely required.

PS - my first response here was perhaps too brief to be helpful so let me edit it; you should by all means get the parts, owners and shop manuals for your car. If one needs the shims for roller mesh (or other shims as well) and you can't get them from the usual Packard sources, then you simply buy some steel or brass or whatever shimstock, and make them, not a difficult job as long as the stock is thin. But if you're not familiar with this type of work, consider sending it out to a pro. If you're new to old car steering gear boxes, forget the idea that you're going to make this steer like a new Porsche or Ferrari, the biggest mistake you can make is tighten the roller shaft end play (the usual adjustment) too tightly; if you don't want to jack the car up and feel for excessive drag when turning from lock to lock (use a fish scale at the wheel perimeter), then at the very least when you tighten the adjustment and feel resistance, back off at least 1/8 to 1/4 turn before tightening the locknut.

And lastly but equally important, don't limit your attention to the steering box, there are many other sources of play that require attention more often than the steering gear, and are often easier to service. Check the king pins first, these cars can be hard on pins, and the tie rod ends, drag link ends, etc. There is an item on the steering linkage of these cars that's prone to wear that I'm not familiar with, perhaps someone else will come along and give you some advice on that.

[imported_fordmerc]

I blew it!!! :The real topic of my concern is the SHIFT linkage. I may re-post the problem later when no one may remember my mental lapse.

[Owen_Dyneto]

The shift linkage (Handishift) resulted in many service letters issued by Packard to their dealers as their linkage, as that of other manufacturers, could be problematic as time passed and wear occurred. You should really get your hands on the service letters but in a nutshell, first make sure all the grommets between the transmission forks and the rods to the column levers are in good shape and free of play. Then drop the rods at the steering column arms, put the trans in neutral and push a 3/16 drill or drill rod up from the bottom thru both shift arms to align them; there is a hole there for this specific purpose. Then with the pin in place, adjust the rod lengths so the ends just enter their repective holes. If you have no significant wear on any of the other parts, this normally solves the problem of hanging up in first or reverse.

[West Peterson]

Owen

In regards to your steering answer, I completely agree with you. In fact, when I did my car, the steering box was the last place I adjusted. As you recommended, I replaced king pins and tie rod ends, but the one thing you forgot about on these 'late model' prewar Packards is the center steering link, located directly under the radiator. This item is prone to wear and has a grease fitting on it. The reason it has historically been prone to wear, is that when Packard started hiring "non-Packard-trained" mechanics, they didn't know and were not told of this needing to be greased regularly.

And the reason it does not get replaced very often by today's collectors is that the radiator needs to come out of the car to replace it. When it is worn out, your steering will feel totally worn out, and adjustments in the steering box will not help at all.

I would recommend for anyone having to remove their radiator to check the center steering link. It very well could be frozen because of lack of lubrication.

[West Peterson]

In regards to shifting these late-model Packards, I have learned that you cannot "slide" the shifter from 1st to 2nd; you need to go through a very mechanical shift. In other words, shift up into neutral, let the spring take it forward, then shift into second. When I started doing this, I have not had any "locking up" of the shifter.

Every once in a while, I start to get lazy, or forget after a long period of not driving it, and do the natural "slide," and sure enough, the next thing I know I'm on the side of the road with the hood up, trying to loosen those fingers.

[Owen_Dyneto]

Thanks West, the steering "center link" was the thing I was trying to think of that I knew could be a source of steering play, I just couldn't get the description to mind. I've never had occasion to service one, but sure have heard lots of others discussing it.

[Guest imported_49packard]

Regarding the shift linkage-there is another tip which is not discussed as far as I can find. On cars with the column shift-on the engine side between the firewall and steering gear there is a small hole in the shift column. If you experience difficulty in shifting spray a lub(not WD40-I used a Kano Lab product) into that hole and work the shifter. This will free up the linkage-it usually takes several shots of lub and a couple of days. I had this problem on my 49 and last week helped out a guy with a 41 Clipper. Frank Conrad told me of this fix a couple of years ago.

[West Peterson]

A couple of days?????

When you're on the side of the road, that's not acceptable. Usually with some up and down movement with the fingers, you're back in good shape.

[Rusty_OToole]

When adjusting a steering gear be careful to follow the factory manual exactly.

In the past I have tried tightening up old worn steering boxes and it worked. But the box wore out in a couple of months.

This was not on Packards this was on worn out old Chevs and Fords of the 60s back when they were run of the mill used cars. But since then I have been careful of any car I want to last.

You have to do it right or else just fill the box with the correct lube and leave well enough alone.