HI This Topic was raised by me back in July 2014 - many things have been carried out on the car since then and one of the more recent was the fitting of new rear Monroe shock absorbers, very straight forward.

Secondly the front shock's tops were removed (difficult and fiddly)and true to form there wasn't any fluid in them so we carefully over a period of a couple of days filled with a little fluid and let settle until eventually no more could be fed in so the cap was put back on and lots of pushing up and down ensued, whilst we also kept a careful watch for leaking fluid. Apart from wearing us out nothing happened and it appeared the arms were "locked" together - we then got out the BIG trolley jack and placed it under one side and jacked the wheel off the floor then dropped the jack as quickly as possible after a few times a groan came from this one side and when pushing up and down resumed it responded and was no longer "solid". We then proceeded to do the same with the other side with the same result. Once down and level we bumped her up and down again and while there wasn't much movement there weren't any leaks.

Very cold and damp and ice/snow on the ground here at the moment so we are eagerly awaiting a nice day to take her for a trial run - check out the ride and that we haven't got leaks - will give an update in due course.

Best regards Michael

Hi Everyone

Here are photos of the 5th shock absorber - put together as previously described - also in the photos the new rear shocks, came in blue so match the car !!

Still some work to do on the mess carried out by the previous "Restorers" (NOT)- but hoping the 2015 coming Classic Car Events Season will be graced by her presence.

Any questions get back to me.

Best regards Michael

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More than likely Howard we will be making a whole new bar and end fittings, but anyways I'll post photos eventually, only time will tell with regards to the wiggle element being correct or too much or vice versa. We'll keep the old bar in case we find anyone here in the UK who can do something to restore it at some time.

Michael

Well can hardly believe I'm back so soon - this is because I've had an Email from my Restorer this morning and he has come up with the following which sounds good to me and I'm passing it by you all for any comments please : he now thinks that a normal vehicle suspension shock absorber will probably be too strong as they are made to cope with heavy cornering loads, he has worked on cars with a steering box with a steering damper built in to absorb kick back through the steering and has sourced a good second hand Land Rover Discovery steering damper which has a hydraulic shock absorber at one end which has a screwed fitting that will fit to the Packard at one end whilst at the other the small ball joint from the Packard will be removed and replaced with a "Rose" joint to take the modified Discovery damper.

Hope I've described things accurately but attached is a photo to help - any thoughts - ideas - comments or
criticisms please let me have them.

Michael

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Had the meeting yesterday with my Restorer - don't quite know yet exactly what we will do but the old 5th Shocker has to be removed and somehow we'll put in a small modern shock in its place.

I will post some more info. as we progress and of course some photos. Meanwhile only 2 days to go so HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL

Michael

Thanks Howard

Yesterday I sent all the information collected from this topic to my Restorer with a suggestion we meet tomorrow to discuss what we should do - so these further details you have sent I'll print out and take with me.

Going by the comments on running the car sans the THING (Fifth Shock absorber) we have to come up with a solution and I'll keep everybody informed about what transpires.

Once more thanks go to you and all who contributed to the Topic.

Best regards Michael

Just a thought everybody - what if I leave this fifth shock absorber and lateral stabilizer OFF altogether ? What might the consequences be ? Don't forget I'm no boy racer I just want to tootle off to a few Shows each year sedately.

Bet that there's quite a few out there running around quite unaware that they haven't got a 5th Shock absorber !!

Michael

Thanks Howard

This confuses me a little as they (Packard) are saying the hydraulic end was STILL used - but Ross said his 23rd Series is running with just a SOLID rod ? and rubbers at each end ?

We don't do Thanksgiving in the UK so no wonder I missed it.

Best regards Michael

Thanks Ross

So for the 23rd Series Packard scrapped the "Fifth Shock Absorber" - now it would be REALLY interesting to see what the "solid rod with rubber grommets at both ends" looks like and exactly how it is fitted to the cars and its diameter and length. With this to hand I could adapt what I have and/or make one.

Thanks too to HH56 - maybe you could dig out the 23rd Series Packard official detail description better still some photos ?

Michael

Oh Howard - just noticed the "Fairy Lites" above the Pack.Info. Logo - what a touch - nearly there so HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

I have now got the whole thing off the car - photos show that we have put the "THING" into a vice and taken out a self-tapping screw which seems to be for putting in new oil ? (very strange begging the question "do other owner's cars have this screw" ?) - we have put oil in and for a while we thought we had got the problem sorted as we had good pressure when moving it inwards then out again - but no in a short time the pressure stopped and actually the oil seems to leach out of the whole body of the hydraulic unit !!! - is this possible that the whole unit is so old and past it's life that the oil can just soak out ? Answers please.

We have taken on board the suggestion that we graft on some sort of spring or an adapted shock absorber but this sounds pretty far fetched - if someone has done this then let us all into the secret of how please ?

Most conventional sway bars (anti roll bars in the UK) do NOT have a hydraulic piece at one end like these on my Packard - could it be that a more simple way to overcome my problem would be to do away with the hydraulic bit and adapt the rest to a conventional sway bar ?

Look forward to any and all comments please.

Best regards Michael

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