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You can also try Motorcycle fork oil. It comes in a wide variety of weights, so tuning the ride is easy!

Just recently went through the same revelation. See my post here:
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb ... 8950&post_id=172620#forumpost172620

One thing folks often seem to miss when buying an older car they are unfamiliar with is to purchase or otherwise read owner's manuals and lubrications charts. Just looking at the Texaco lube chart for the 22nd/23rd series Packards (available on the PAC website) they do note that the front shocks are refillable and give a recommendation for the fluid to use. I'd assume the owner's manual gives the same or similar information. So that the front shocks are refillable really shouldn't come as a surprise. The lube charts may also identify grease fittings which might otherwise be missed by just a visual examination.

Yes, especially when the vehicle has been sitting for 30 years!

I used hydraulic jack oil (Home Depot) and a turkey baster. So far, so good.

Make life easy, forget the turkey baster. For a few $ buy a little pump oil can with a flexible neck and keep it reserved for hydraulic fluid.

I guess this is just too basic to find what the procedure is for refilling the front shocks. If I jack up the car to get access, how do I bounce it up and down? Or can I get to it without removing the wheel.

Do I jack up the car by the frame or the lower control arm?
(And then apply jack stands, of course.)
Then remove the wheel to get access?
Do I have to disconnect the arms?
What will happen if I disconnect the two arms?
Do I have to prop up anything?

I do have a flexible oil filler can and jack oil, but I may run down and get a new one to use for this only.

Does anyone ask a quick lube place to do it?

I know you're thinking What he should do is call Hemmings and place an ad to sell his Packard if he can't figure this one out.

Never ask a quick lube place to do anything!

We actually have a great place near home.

I bring my own filter and my owner's manual that shows the 20-odd zerk fittings and they lube it for me as part of the oil change, plus check the trans/OD and differential. I've never asked them to fill the shocks. Possibly too much time or mechanic effort. But maybe on slow days at slow times they'd take it.

But they are a one-off, not a chain. I've only had good luck at Jiffy Lube and Oil Can Henry's because the car creates such a fuss, the manager usually supervises the job. They have 15-40 with zinc, which I use. If you want 30 wt only, some places don't have it.

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HI Dan'l,
Don't ever be embarrassed when having a lack of knowledge, the ones who should be so are those who are 'willingly ignorant'. 'Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find' is the right way.
Now, just a "heads up"; Packard got it right with their ride control design, so try to retain original damping valves etc in your shock absorbers. A "modern ride" is easy to change to, but spoils the "glide" Packard is re-known for.