Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Go ahead, laugh, I just installed my adjustable links with this homemade device. It's 1" PTO shaft reworked a bit. The net result, the ride is like having heavy duty springs, tight & even. Now I can even put a floor jack underneath.

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Is this on your '56?
What can you tell us about it's symptoms, ride, etc.

No laughing. You improvised and got it done. Way to go!

Yes 56. Before this I couldn't get a floor jack or my arm under the front or sides of the car. It always felt like it was bottoming out on larger bumps & definitely over speed bumps. It just felt like the "springs" were shot. This was for the front. The handling was too much like a boat. Now the entire car sits high more like a normal car. Now I feel comfortable taking curves at posted limits (or more). It's definitely more stiff, which is good. The only bad thing, I feel all the buckles in the road much more. I've adjusted the links to where there is 1/2 inch of thread visible. The links are longer than the original ones screwed in, so I guess I have these tightened up a bit. The original ones have the 2 rings. I can pretty much see the whole front tire from the side & the cars level. New shocks went in while I was there.

I don't know just how long your new pins are but you really don't want front links much longer than the longest Packard offered (4-groove); I'm told going much higher upsets the contact angle of the load arm and pin seats. Ross and other will have more info on this.