Packard Forum Index » Modification Discussion

About five years ago I replaced the original front power windows in my 55 Pat with an aftermarket kit. The reason for this was because the original power window motors kept failing. I managed to make one good one out of one or two broken spares. Those too failed and eventually I ran out of spare Packard ones (can't buy those anymore, at least inexpensively).

I replaced the original with Autoloc PW5500 kits purchased from Summit. Those took some bracket fabricating and 4 replays (2 per side) to reverse the polarity on "down" with the original door switches. Those kits worked fine for five years. This install is covered on my website here:

1956packardpanther.com/Panther/windows.html

A couple of weeks ago, the D-side window jammed in the almost down position. I removed the door panel and whole kit to diagnose the jam. The problem was that the slide rail had "gummed up" with a combination of the original rail lube and Pahrump, NV fine dust (like baby powder). Even after cleaning the rails and relubing same, the slider still refused to move. I then traced the problem to the small ring gear inside the actuator mechanism which is driven by an electric motor. The ring gear had stripped and also damaged the coil-wound cable it drives.

Solution to this problem was to call Autoloc and find out if I could buy a new ring gear and push/pull cable. The answer is NO because they probably buy the whole kit from a some supplier in China and don't have access to any of the small parts. Boo! However, the sales tech offered sell me another kit for 50% off (well below wholesale), they pay the freight. That's what I did and it should arrive later this week. The only problem is that the kit is BOTH a left and right side (actually the same), but I'll have an extra side for future use.

Craig