Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

How do you take the chrome cap off of the 1934 V12 bumper harmonic balancer in order to service that unit? When that cap is off how do you control the spring tension in order to take it apart?

As memory serves me, it's a press fit decorative cap. The spring is not a life threatening issue, but I made an assembler using threaded rod and two pieces of wood. If you are lucky the weights and springs are in decent shape, but can be carefully dressed to float in the housing if they have been mishandled. As I remember the correct amount of oil to install is 185 ml.

I doubt the units achieved much given the plethora of bulletins addressing the units. As well, a new chassis has not had flex cycles so the vibration periods are different.

I have never been a big fan of the "X" frame design given it shortens the frequency. That change can create some nasty shimmy in worn systems. After all, trucks today aren't using it. The main benefit of those dampers is getting rid of tire related vibration even though the manual states improperly maintained units can be a cause of shimmy.