Packard steering box shim adjustment

Posted by Packard Newbie On 2016/4/14 19:59:32

I have posted a couple of forum entries on the removal of the steering box on my '39 Packard Six. The sector shaft or cross shaft was the obvious problem as the side thrust bearings had disintegrated and the roller wheel was rotating on the pin! The 'play' was ridiculous. I had an excellent local machinist rebuild it and it now rotates like silk with no play. My question is: I have gone from about 14" of play in the steering wheel to about 2" and I presume the 'last 2%' can be tweaked by adjusting the shim count. Can anybody give me some guidance on what to do here? I presume I will have to have the shims machined and need to know what kind of procedure to follow to know how much to add. And that is if I am correct that you ADD shims and don't take some out!! Thanks to any who can help and for your time to respond.