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

I'm restoring a 1941 Packard One-Twenty, and I am pretty much ready to ship the car off for frame-off media blasting. My only hang up is that I have been unsuccessful in removing the steering column from the car. Right now, I have the cover off of the gear box and can see the two worm gears that rotate when the wheel is turned. On the underside of the gearbox is a 1&7/16" nut that I have removed, but the gear box will not slide off of the rest of the steering arms.

Does anybody know how to disconnect the gearbox from the steering mechanism or to remove the steering column from the gearbox? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Pictures and more information on the car will be posted in the "project" section this evening.

Sam Beck

G'day Sam,
to PackardInfo. Probably just needs some "persuasion" in the form of a hammer and/or lever to break the grip between the shaft and the arm. Obvious question, the steering box is unbolted from the frame?

And, besides the pic's and info in a Project Blog, I invite you to include your '41 120 in the Packard Owner's Registryyour

Sam, welcome to PackardInfo.com.

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That's the link to the 1935 - 1941 parts list, section "steering & suspension". Not sure if it shows your specific steering gear but it wouldn't be a common method to remove the steering column from the steering gear to get the body off. Pull the pitman arm from the shaft or, if that really isn't possible then disconnect the arm from the linkage and as Mal (Ozstatman) already mentioned, unscrew the box from the frame.

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Thanks for the help. Here's what I'm looking at in regards to the gearbox.

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I can't say for sure but that column looks very similar to the 47--maybe without the turnsignal switch.

If so, then steering box stays intact and the entire shroud slides up off the shaft. Your clamp on the bottom is already loose and if the gearshift is similar then that appears also out of the way. Look at the top of the column and see if there is a lock ring around the steering shaft sort of recessed into the bearing (round wire silver colored ring with split in this photo). If so, remove that and with any clip or retainer around the gearshift shaft removed and the midway under dash clamp loose, the shroud should slide off. Once that is off, then the box and shaft will unbolt from the frame and if car is high enough, can be worked down and out the opening.

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Howard (HH56), for media blasting he would have to unscrew the box anyway. I would go the below shown way. Or is it not possible to get the box through the firewall?

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Agree the box should come off for blasting. I don't know if the floor plate opening is large enough for the entire box to pass up or not. In mfg all the pictures show the box on the frame and body lowered down over the column. The shroud will probably need to come off anyway to paint. I really don't know prewar cars well so just my thoughts on possible removal with something that looked similar.

Sam, when in doubt then follow the instructions given by Howard (HH56). As you see he is supermodest but when it comes to technical understanding then he knows whereof he speaks.






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...so just my thoughts on possible removal with something that looked similar.

Howard, as you know, my experience also originates from something zis looks similar.

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Remove steering wheel, and unbolt shift linkage up top. At box, pitman arm off or disconnected, unbolt the 4 bolts to frame. Unbolt shift linkage from steering column. Unbolt clamp holding steering column to underside of dash. With car elevated, remove column/box in one piece. Don't disassemble steering box components till later...

DAF

Could not have said it better myself, this is how i took mine off two weeks ago,and had no problems.maybe i was lucky?