Re: Shift Fork Springs Packard 110

Posted by HH56 On 2023/6/23 20:39:54

I suspect you are correct about the large spring not being stock and also believe it could be someone's attempt at either a repair or to change a characteristic. Aside from the shape of the levers the mechanism is the same as that used on the Clippers. There may be minor differences in a part size or how a part looks between the conventional cars and the Clipper but the basic construction and operation is the same.

Clippers do not have the larger diameter bottom spring and the lower end of the tube is threaded. Above the upper lever is a clip and washer to keep lever from raising above the the specific designed position on the tube. Below the lower lever is another washer and shim, held on the tube by another clip. The bracket holding the U bolt threads onto the shaft and is turned until it moves upward to where the U bolt can be properly inserted to fasten the assy on the steering column.

The long narrow spring goes inside the tube and is always pushing against a spot on the selector tongue which is pinned to the rod that extends thru the tube. It keeps the selector tongue pushed inside the upper 2-3 lever and provides the tension felt when pulling back the operator lever to move the tongue into the lower lever for the R or 1 shift. The bottom cotter key on the tube keeps that spring in the tube. There may be a small metal disc between the cotter key and spring to act as a lower end spring seat.

Our vendors may have new springs or if not, it should still be able to be found used. If you cannot find another the tension and length on that one could be restored by making or finding another small metal disc that will fit inside the tube and placing it between the broken pieces. Each broken end can then push on the disc.

The small hole in the tube near the upper lever gets a few drops of oil on occasion. The upper 2-3 lever issue looks the same on both so I suspect it also has gotten very little routine oiling. On Clippers water and dirt can condense and run down the tube working in behind the lever to rust or corrode and seize the lever to the tube. An occasional few drops of oil placed between the top of the upper lever and washer so it can run down and get in the space between the lever and tube can save some later grief.