Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I have seen countless cars (HT or 400s) with broken door windows. Must have some stressing of the body? Many of these are very solid cars with no body mount issues.
Any theories?

Starting around 51, door windows, particularly the front doors, had issues with the rear bottom runner attachments to door structure. The mounts would rust or the rivets or welds would break or screws would fall out. If that happened and door was slammed, glass could hit parts of the regulator assy. The basic design was pretty much a constant thru 56 so probably all models were affected to some extent. There were a couple of bulletins suggesting a check of the mounting parts if a car came in and glass was cracked. One was a fairly late issue.

On the electric V8 HT's, there is also a condition with the regulator action. I don't remember a specific bulletin on the problem but have seen the issue. With the long glass, the regulator is two parts connected by a straight link. If the glass cocked as it moved or should something bind one side, the motor was strong enough that the link pushing against the single bolt attachment holding the second part of the regulator would flex or bend the inner panel. If the panel bent or cracked at the bolt hole and stayed in that position then the works are close if not actually touching the glass in certain positions. There was a poster just recently asking about some strange added braces on his door. I would almost bet that was someones attempt to fix that problem..

Some early hydraulic models even had issues with the regulator not being secured at the top and would hit the glass if door was slammed.

Therr is a 55 o 56 STB OR SC that addresses this topi c.

On the hardtops the problem occurs when the door is shut on the flipper.