I was thinking of a jack about under the bump stop after lowering the front as far as possible. I'm reluctant to buy a tool that I will never use again; although each restoration only needs the tool once I've never seen a used load arm tool for sale. Shipping is indeed prohibitive and I'm a long ways from the nearest Packard mechanic. Dads 56 has a solution that gives me the confidence to try and an idea of the strength needed. I estimate the load on the arm to be in the 3000 to 4000 lb. range and I can imagine the horror of a sudden failure!

Thanks all; I will post results if I survive the experiment.

Is it possible to put a jack under the lower support arm to keep the suspension loaded and detach the upper arm to replace the inner bushings?
This seems easy, but the manual definitely says don't try it-and I think that Packard knew more about their cars than I ever will. Has anyone had experience with this?

thank you

An excellent article by an expert.

I'm working on a 56 Senior (with original 374) showing a credible 110,000 miles. The oil pressure jumps to 45 psi instantly and remains there at all times-warm or cold,highway or idle. If I turn the idle down to the point of stalling it will drop to 35 psi warm. There is occasional lifter noise after sitting for a few days but it goes away right away.

Good news; Except-I pulled the left valve cover and see an excellent oil flow with a lot of tiny bubbles flowing by.

The history of the car is not known but the engine has not been apart in the last 30 years. So it doesn't have the Olds pump. The car is going to see some highway use and it won't be babied.

I'd love some advice about the best course to take. Should I overfill the crankcase and hope the air intake is cut off? With good pressure how much of a threat is this to the bearings? I'd like to avoid the pump conversion at this time if it doesn't pose too great a risk but a rod coming through the block isn't a pleasant thought.

Thank you

Here in the socialist paradise of British Columbia we have planners to do our thinking for us. When this law was first passed the cops let American tourists drive up to ski resorts and then told them that they couldn't leave until spring unless they bought new tires. That seemed to have a bad effect on our main industry-tourism. I don't know how they treat non-residents now.

Yep;no joke:

The government has decreed that we must have approved snow tires for 7 months of the year. Today it's 55,dry roads and clear.We can drive around town but if we hit the freeway for the city it's a $100 fine or impound-hey a blizzard could hit anytime,right? At least we have the fun of seeing cops crawl along in the mud on a rainy day trying to see if there's little snowflakes on the sidewalls.
Of course we'd never drive a restored Packard in snow and salt but without proper tires we can't drive it at all. Adding to the fun it is not permitted to have an FM radio in a Packard!
So I really do need rims if anyone can help.

Thank you

Hi
I'm hoping that there is a common wheel that would fit 56 seniors with limited-slip(Dana?) rear end-I need a set for snow tires. I know that older dodge truck wheels fit older cars and Clippers but I haven't turned up anything for the final cars.

Thanks