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Hello guys I have a couple of questions and need some advice on where to start.

Went and drove the car the other day to see if i had it road worthy yet.....well no i didnt, I had a dog run out in front of me on the drive, i was going about 35. So i think to self this will test out the brakes i just bleed and replaced the MC on.....holy shit i hit the brakes and the car lerched to the left towards on coming traffic....so i react and turn to the right, thats when i noticed it took almost a full turn of the wheel to get the car to start to react to the right. I then pulled over and took a few deep breaths and cleaned out my shorts.
I had the wife turn the wheel back and forth while watching the steering box, box was tight and secure to the frame.
Sooooooo where do i start with the front steering?????? im pretty sure braking lurch is the right brake cylinder is bound up ill go through those next......but im not sure about the suspension. When on stands balljoints/king pins seem tight and tie rods seem good. Im new to Packard so is there somethings i should check or starting point so im not throwing money down the drain this weekend any guidance would be appreciated.

Attached a Pic of her first fill up!!!

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I believe Chris (Packard newbie) just went thru this on his 39. IIRC, his problem turned out to be a bearing in the steering box had self destructed and the adjustment between worm gear and sector could not be adjusted to get anywhere close to removing the excess play. One machinist tried to make a bushing as a bearing replacement but ultimately the box had to be sent to a specialist for a proper rebuild. If he doesn't see your post perhaps you could send him a PM for more details on what he has gone thru fixing the problem..

Another issue some have had was lack of lubrication on the center pivot bearing or bushing assy under the radiator. If the center pivot bearing is still good so there is no up/down play on the center arm when you try to turn the wheels while car is sitting on the ground I would suggest looking at the box.

The idler arm bearing is the most likely culprit as Howard mentioned, in the center of the frame.

Those are actually very good steering cars when in standard condition, so there is hope yet.

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LOL i figured there was hope, it just scared the crap out of me if that truck in the on coming lane had been a little further it would have been ugly.....is there a known diagram that shows the front end and the components and location?????

Parts manual and a service article.

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Hi Chevmn56,

Haven't been 'in here' in a couple of days and just noticed your post. Like Howard stated, I have had my steering box out twice and this last time, I took it to a steering rebuild specialist and they redid it properly. Now, when I move the steering wheel an inch, I can see the wheels move. First off, I don't know how similar the '41 box is to the '39 version, but on mine, I was able to take an inspection cover off the top of the steering box. If yours has a similar cover, that will probably tell the story. The sector shaft wheel that interfaces with the worm gear has open-face, ball, thrust bearings on either side. In my case, these were disintegrated and with the balls floating around in the box lube, a ball would get jammed in between the sector wheel and the worm gear, locking the steering altogether, so I certainly know what you are talking about, re 'scary first drives'!!

One thing to consider, if you remove the steering box (again, speaking only of my '39) it will come out the bottom if you take the steering link off on the inside end. It then provides just enough clearance to pull the whole assembly out the front of the car. I made up a little custom press with 4 bolts and a small piece of 1/4" plate steel to pop the steering link apart. I could get very close to 'feeding' it through the steering linkage without disassembling it, but not 'quite enough'. Once the link was disconnected, it was a piece of cake. For what it's worth, I am up here in Canada and the steering house charged me $400, all-in for the rebuild. I did search all ends of the earth to try and find the original bearings (I was able to get the numbers off the races and broken cages) but came to the conclusion that they are simply no longer available. The steering house guy agreed and apparently customized a set of '39/'40 Chevy bearings that ARE still around. PM me if you want any additional info or photos of the press I made, etc. Good luck! (and you won't believe the difference in handling once you get this resolved!!)

Chevmn56,

The link I referred to that has to be taken apart is 15.200 in Howard's post. (the inside end)

Thanks so much.....ill be taking a close look at the front end tomorrow......thanks again to all for the info

I am just back in town for the first time since mid-September...let us know what you see regarding the steering sector shaft. The box/shaft is commonly rebuilt by Lares Corporation. Several forum members have posted satisfaction. If yours is unrebuildable for any reason, I can come up with a steering box/column. had it in my hands on Sunday so I know right where it is, but I did not take the cover off....

Brian, the handle is on my desk and will get attention soon.


DAF

I couldn't wait too look at the front end so I snuck out and looked at it before work today. I had the wife turn the wheel back and forth and I can see the zerk in the center link move about a 1/4" each way when she turns the wheel back and forth..... I fill like such a tard.......the only thing I kind of get on this Packard front end is the damn tie rods........ But I'll learn it