Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I have new front parking light and turn signal lenses to replace my originals on my 1956 Patrician. Suddenly I have realized that I have never replaced such on the front of any 56 I have owned. Does someone have a good procedure? The shop manual has no mention of it that I can find.

The 56 senior parking light assy needs to separate from the car because it sits inside a sheetmetal box which is part of the fender. The box enclosure prevents access to the screws holding the lens.

The light assy is held by two screws in front which are accessible from the grill side plus a nut on a stud at the rear accessed from inside the wheel well. Removing those will let the assy pull free although it needs a bit of manipulation. You may need to disconnect the wiring but there should be some slack to provide just enough clearance to access the lens screws if that is all you want to do.

Once the light assy is free there are 5 sheetmetal like screws which hold the lens. Be aware the old plastic is brittle and possibly cracked where the screws thread in. The screw threads may be seized to the plastic and the entire mounting boss will twist off or if only cracked, just a chunk may come loose. NOS plastic may also be brittle so use care when tightening the new lens in place.

Here is the rear of the assy showing the locations for the retaining screws.

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Wow...just great folks on this website helping other Packard owners! Thanks so much for this information and the photographs. Looks like this will be more than a 30 minute undertaking!