Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

RE: 1951 Packard 200

Getting the end bushing clip back in place is a lot harder than getting it off. Checking the service manual it shows a installation tool being used. Using the search feature on this website had some information but nothing I could use.
Has anyone replaced this bushing clip without the tool?

It really helps to have a tool because the clips are spring steel and very brittle. The short tangs that fit in the slots in the A arm will break off if they twist or have a lot of sudden sideways force applied as can happen if something slips. I think they would break anyway even if you just gave them a hard look but no need to temp fate.

I used an ordinary C clamp to kind of duplicate the tool. This one measures right at 3 1/2 inches at the jaw opening. Ground the middle of the fixed jaw to form a sort of notch and made the retainer for the tangs out of some scrap angle iron. A couple of screwdrivers or some scrap flat stock would also work -- just something to keep the tangs from being pushed back in the slots.

My version works but if I were going to revise it I would make the groove a tad wider to get a better fit on the rounded surface of the clip. Cost was minimal for the C clamp and add a few minutes time.

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