Re: Wile Family's Second Packard

Posted by HH56 On 2012/9/9 15:38:04

I don't think the problem is in the column itself -- unless your mechanic can see something flopping around. There is a stop in the lever/top collar assy which could wear but that usually meant the handle would move into park or reverse without lifting it. Bushings at a couple of places can wear but again would be pretty severe sloppy motion noticed.

There were 3 common items in 55 cars which caused the parking lock to stick. All were reworked & are documented in the 55-56 Service counselors. Hard to say if all or even any have been done on a car without looking.

First was the manual valve which had a wide shoulder and would stick in the bore of valve body. Cure was to grind off a specific amount.

Second was the parking gear itself in which pawl would stick in the gear. Those were replaced with gears precision ground and having a slightly different contour.

Third was the linkage itself. Early cars design could have the rod coming from front and lever at trans almost in a straight line when in park position. Anything worn or loose that would let the rod drop a bit and go absolutely straight & trans lever could not move out without help. Cure was a revised lever which allowed it to be more vertical and a different length rod to work with it.

That last is the easiest to check. I'd compare with your other car to see if the problem car might still have early linkage.