Re: My First Packard

Posted by BigKev On 2009/5/1 11:35:25

Removing retainer clips on the 51-56 Models.

The clips rust and are really a pain to remove. First soak the hell out of the them with PB Blaster. Wait 24-48 hrs.

If you cant pull them out of the hole in the door jam with a pair of needle-nose visegrips, then this is the back up procedure.

1) Use a heat gun to heat the plastic door lock knobs, once then get warm and soft your should be able to pull the plastic off the metal shaft.

2) Once that is done, unscrew the window garnish moulding (window surround) and remove it.

3) Now roll the window all the way down. You should be able to see then entire door retainer clip now. Spray the hell out of it again with PB, let soak.

4) Now use a drift to tap out the rusty clip though the hole in the door jam.

The Packards International San Diego chapter sells new retainer clips. Every door (Front , back, left, right) uses a slightly different shaped clip. The ones from PI SD are made of beryllium copper, so they are guaranteed not to rust. I bought an entire set from them a couple years ago. Not cheap, but you do what you have to do.