Re: Resurrecting my 56’ Patrician

Posted by HH56 On 2022/3/28 20:58:06

Bushings are an extremely important part of the system as far as function and potential issues. Likewise the shocks are important to get the designed ride. Very little goes wrong with the hard mechanical parts of the TL system but after so many years deteriorated rubber bushings and dirty or oxidized electrical contacts and connections are the major reasons for todays failures.

If you have not already got a copy I would suggest you go to Dwight Heinmuller's sitehttps://www.packardparts.org/products/parts/torsion-level-suspension/ and download the 6 page article that was written a few years ago on the mechanical aspects of the system. It was originally printed in one of the PAC monthly newsletters and is one of the more comprehensive explanations of how everything works together and why certain parts are recommended. If you are into the theoretical and development part and would like to know more on that story the SAE article as presented by one of the Packard engineers is available in the literature archive.https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/SAE_Torsion.pdf

Whether you actually spring for Dwight's complete kit with poly rear bushings is up to you but it is a complete kit with just about everything covered. If you are only doing piecemeal then suitable repro replacement rubber bushings for the rear are available from Steele and as far as front suspension bushings, the same type as in the kit are probably available from local parts stores and if not, Rock Auto. I believe there are some front bushing crosses in the parts x-ref section. If not several on site can supply the year and model cars that use the bushings that will work.

Electrically, the mechanism is relatively simple and there are several on site who can walk you thru almost any issue you will run across. It is all basic electric with straight forward contacts and relays so nothing exotic except maybe the heated bimetal strips that provide the time delay in the stock control switch.