Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Anyone have an illustration of the power antenna switch showing how it is assembled/removed from the dash (I have a 56 Clipper)? The illustration in the Service Manual is not detailed enough. I'm able to remove the knob, but I can't figure out how to get to the hex nut.

You need the special tool. There may still be a repro of several tools made over the years available from one of the vendors or you can make your own using 1/4" hex stock or a coupling nut or hex standoff. Just make sure the flats are 1/4" apart. The center of the hex will need to be drilled slightly over 3/16" to accept the switch shaft. Once you have the tool and have removed the knob slide the tool over the shaft until it enters the hex on the bezel nut. You can either glue on a handle or use a small wrench to turn the hex approx 2 or so turns CCW to loosen the nut and remove the bezel.

Here is the tool I made using a standoff.

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A word of caution when replacing the switch in the dash. The nut is held in the bezel by a pressed in back piece -- sort of like a thin flat plate or washer. If you tighten the nut too hard when replacing the switch the back piece can be pushed out of the bezel by the nut. If that happens the bezel is useless because there seems to be no way to replace the back piece in the bezel and have it stay in tight enough to retain the nut in the bezel. The nut will still hold the switch in the dash but the bezel will be loose and rattling around.

David Moe at Seatle Packard sells the correct tool. He bought up all the reproduction tool stock that Dan Yocum made after Dan passed away.


ebay.com/itm/1951-56-Packard-dash-switch-removal-tool-/113929892815

Good to know who has the tools and they are still readily available. I believe Troy in Michigan also had some repros made before he closed his shop. No idea who might have bought his inventory.

One quibble on the ebay listing. There is a typo or outright error on applicable years. The hex shaped tools only work for 55-6 models. 51-4 need a different tool that engages small slots in the bezels located on either side of the shaft.

As I recall Packard Newbie made one of the tools for bezels with slots and posted a photo. The prewar headlight switch bezels use something similar but no idea if the prewar tool will fit the postwar bezel slots.

Have a lathe. Get some 1/4 hex and drill a hole

1/4 nut driver done

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