I've been screwing up my courage to try removing my dash as well. I took a quick look and didn't spot any obvious screws or bolts to tackle; can someone give me a quick run-down on either pulling the dash or at least the instrument cluster on a '48?

Thanks much,

Amen Howard!

I'm only 44 so Packard had passed before I arrived but part of the appeal of these old girls for me is the nod to those "simpler times". Guess it's an age-old question as to just how capable the population is in using common sense and just when the government needs to step in to protect us from ourselves with rules & regulations. Like most things, it's all about the right balance.

I do seem to stick my neck out more than most and have a fond memory of running a home delivery milk route one summer and coming down a neighborhood street to a bunch of kids begging for a ride in the truck. I ended up with a dog and 5 kids up front and another 3 swinging their legs as they sat on the back bumper. I ran up & down the block at 5 mph, no one died, and I hope some of those kids still enjoy that memory from time-to-time as much as I do.

That photo does appeal to the adventurer in me and I appreciate a good dose of that stern stuff that seems to be a little lost in this day & age.

PS: I've managed 2 smooth round trips in my Packard to Fresno from the Bay Area and will be sure to look you up on the next one.

Hello Folks,

Have most major kinks worked out on my 2272 and have been driving daily for a few months now. Made a couple 6 hour freeway trips without a hick-up... and quite comfortably I must say. Now it's time to work on more little things...

First up: my 2 front doors won't close and latch nearly as smoothly as the rears and I think it's rounding of the rotating assembly in the door that looks like a big 4-toothed cog. What's the repair for this issue? I think someone out there brazed the worn areas & built the "shoulders" of the cog up again but my skills aren't quite that good.

Those replacement kits that come up on eBay any good? Gotta be a common problem with door latches after so many years of use.

Thanks for any advice.

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Well I used the Remote Owen Dyneto Method and my parts guys sent me Monroe 37029 @ $37.29 per. I have to admit that they were longer and wider than what came off but I was impatient enough to take my chances and install them for a test. (I'm sure that committed the purchase too.)

Quick run around the neighborhood and I'm happy to report that they feel very nice; sure makes me realize how far down the rear-end had been squatting. The acid-test will come later today when I can get out and pick up the pace a bit...

Thanks JW; wish I could make out the model number on those ACDelco boxes. I talked to my parts house and they're gonna match something up and send it out in a few hours... I'll keep you posted.

So far, the shocks that came off don't look too legit. They're a maroon color with a plain silver label and no brand name that I can make out. They've got loops for 5/8 studs and travel 14" - 22".

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I might be missing it when I search the site but is there a current shock that will fit the rear of my 2202? Those fronts are clearly a special item but I'm hoping the rears won't be. Course I'm rushing to install them before the weekend so I'm hoping to find one of my local joints that might carry a drop-in replacement. Maybe someone out there's gone down this road before?

Thanks as always,

Just a little follow-up that I'm over the hump on this job. Thanks to the advice here, I forged ahead with pulling the spring to get to the bolts securing the shock and am glad I did. Wasn't much to the spring but those nuts under the shock were just shy of frozen stiff.

Soaked penetrating oil on them and still had to get a breaker on 3 of the 4. Woulda been a nightmare to try getting a FIRM grip up through & around the springs. I'll resume reassembly in the morning and looking forward to much anticipated and much improved handling...

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Owen,

Your description is just what the book advises. Removing the backing plate would mean pulling the drum but there may be a way to avoid that. Heck, a cotter pin, axle nut, and bearings v. 5 lug bolts: 6 of one, 1/2 Dz of the other, eh? Course I already went with the 5 lug bolts.

PackardV8,

I got all excited when I spotted the very access you did but then thought about trying to align those nuts on reassembly. The 2 inside the springs are quite manageable but the 2 outers would require a pretty sharp bend on a socket, universal, extension combo. Pull the spring and I get easy access to all 4.

I'm starting to think about grabbing one of the neighborhood tomboys with hands 1/4 the size of mine...

'Evening People,

Anyone want to toss in their 2? on whether it's easier to drop the spring or work around it? I can see all 4 bolts mounting the shock but their nuts would be a lot easier to get with the spring free. On the other hand, that looks like it would entail breaking my front brake hose or freeing the lower support arm.

Which route is best?

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Can I piggy-back on this thread and ask if anyone has any leads on replacement glovebox liners for a 22 Series? I've looked around a bit and can't seem to find anything. Any repros or used out there? I open my glovebox and get a nice view straight back to the firewall...

Thanks,