Re: 1955 Caribbean top adjustment
Posted by Leeedy On 2014/12/14 23:56:58
Quote:
55clipper wrote:
The front side rail was the one Modified. As I recall, this was a time ago, I had to remove some metal so that it fit into the header. It held up ok until I was finally able to find a complete set of used side rails from a 55. Due to my carelessness I had several cracked side rails. I still have not replaced them all but will when I am confident that the top is working properly.
Another thing to note is, don't use silicone brake fluid in the pump.
Word to the wise: don't use
ANY brake fluid at all in the convertible top electro-hydraulic system. Use automatic transmission fluid. It will never turn into rock-salt-looking crystals from lack of use and won't destroy your paint or seals.
As for cracked side rails, this phenomenon is not limited to Packards. Many other American-made convertibles of the 1950s had such brittle cast aluminum side rails. All of which is an absolute reason to never, ever try to manually force your power convertible top up or down. To do so is just begging for trouble and damage that will require parts to be replaced. The castings were not the strongest in the first place (they didn't need to be if used as designed)... and due to the nature of old aluminum, they have a terrible tendency to a condition known as "age hardening." As such they become even more brittle and less likely to flex under any out-of-plane pressure.
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