Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

That is actually a track bar, and not a stabilizer bar; its job is to minimize sideward displacement of the axle during cornering, not minimize body roll. Eights in the 23d series had just a solid rod with rubber grommets at both ends. Something like that would be easily fabricated and will be quite satisfactory in any normal driving.

As Ross said, not a roll stabilizer bar. Here is Packards official description of the shock as used on the 47 cars.

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Here is a photo of the bar off of my formerly owned 47 Custom Clipper after cleaning and painting. The shock absorber part seemed to still be working properly after all of these years.

(o{}o)

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Thanks Ross

So for the 23rd Series Packard scrapped the "Fifth Shock Absorber" - now it would be REALLY interesting to see what the "solid rod with rubber grommets at both ends" looks like and exactly how it is fitted to the cars and its diameter and length. With this to hand I could adapt what I have and/or make one.

Thanks too to HH56 - maybe you could dig out the 23rd Series Packard official detail description better still some photos ?

Michael

Oh Howard - just noticed the "Fairy Lites" above the Pack.Info. Logo - what a touch - nearly there so HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

I don't have a fact book or any additional info on 23rd series. The photo for 22nd series is the same as above but the description is slightly different.

You can thank BigKev for the hanging lights. You must have missed the turkey he had lurking in the logo during thanksgiving.

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Thanks Howard

This confuses me a little as they (Packard) are saying the hydraulic end was STILL used - but Ross said his 23rd Series is running with just a SOLID rod ? and rubbers at each end ?

We don't do Thanksgiving in the UK so no wonder I missed it.

Best regards Michael

The 23rd series was different in several respects from your 22nd so undoubtedly Ross is correct. After reading some of the info in Bob Neals books on the 22-23 series and some followup info of that time when planning was being done for later cars that he mentions in his new 51-54 book, with things happening during 23rd series production it is a wonder cars got out the door. I rather expect the elimination of the hydraulic action on the fifth shock during the 23rd series was more due to wanting to cut costs rather than an improvement in function.

Meaarch,

Attached are a few pictures I have available handy on my phone. I took these as a reference for myself, as the bushings were shot and I wanted to find replacements. I ended up making replacement bushings from round rubber stock ordered from McMasters. I can post more pictures and/or dimensions in the coming days.

I vaguely remember reading something along the lines that there is a difference in the leaf spring width that is associated with the different shock/bar setup. I'll try to dig that up as well.

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The lights are not on in Austin (iMac and Firefox), nor did the Thanksgiving turkey alight on the logo. Maybe I've been too naughty this year.

(o{}o)

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Interesting. I use an iMac too - mid 2007 model. Haven't upgraded to 10.10 yet so on Mavericks 10.9 and mostly use Safari now. I see the lights and saw the turkey just fine. Just checked Firefox 28 (don't use it much anymore so haven't upgraded there either) and lights are visible. Wonder if there is something in your settings or different versions of software causing the issue.