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It is way too cold out so not getting much shop time.

I have all the needed parts for the steering column but I need to repaint it so it is not going back together just yet.

I put the right side door aside for now and put the left side up on the operating table. You can see that I never even removed the trim yet. I started inspecting it and was surprised at the good condition it was in until I started tapping on the bottom of it. Fortunately, that is the only soft spot. I have already cut it all out. Should be able to patch it next week when it warms up.

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I may be wrong, but I think a lot of the steering column parts Packard used in the V8 cars were shared with other make too. I would think the top part where the shift lever goes would be one of them. Worth a try on a GM or Ford or AMC parts site for one of these. Good luck.

In two days this project blog will be 9 years old. It just topped 200K in views and I still do not have a Packard to drive. GAH!

I was not going to buy this Ebay flange for the steering column. I was just going to go with what I had, broken tab and all. Then I dropped it on the concrete floor of my shop. It hit on the edge and knocked it out of round. It was probably still usable but what's $65 after 9 years.

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We had a couple of warm days last week and I was able to paint the 3 main steering wheel parts components. Went out today with the sole purpose of putting the gear shifter back in place as it was a pain to remove.
I was surprised as to how easy it was to do. It just popped into place with a little silicone spray.
The worst of winter should be behind us here in KY so hope to get out more often now. I might just get this steering column completed this week.

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That looks great. What's your process for painting the interior pieces? Did you strip them down to bare metal? What kind of primer, etc?

I'm going to be doing the same to everything but my dash as soon as it warms up. I've never really painted before.

-Kevin

I am no expert at painting. In fact, I barely rate a novice. I do have a good deal of "YouTube over-confidence" though.
Check out the youtube channel for 'Paint Society'. I have spent the better part of a year watching his videos and learning some of his processes. I have been practicing with the sealer and primer on the larger parts.
I did not strip these interior parts to bare metal. I scuffed them up real good with 220 grit. and then primed them. When that dried, I scuffed up the primer with a 600 grit that I had lying nearby. The trick here is getting it clean with a "pre-paiting prep" cleaner between each layer.
Now the clear coat is a whole other animal that I am still fighting. Somehow I keep spraying too much and getting runs. I need more practice with that.

Does this section of the steering column look correct? It's "springing" so, it appears to work correctly.

I took pictures as I dissembled but somehow missed taking one of the assembled units.

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Yes, that looks right to me, it matches mine and the diagram. It can be assembled multiple ways and still work. The springing is what you need to minimize wear on your new part. Just remember to grease it. The lack of lubrication is what caused mine to fail.

The steering column has been repainted and re-assembled. I do still need to clean up the reverse switch and install the new plug on the wire harness. I have to be real careful with that as the two harnesses are no longer color-matched but, I have that under control.

Also started taking all the bits and pieces off that left side door. Now I remember why I did not disassemble it at the same time I did the right side door a few years ago. That clip that holds the door handle in place is a PITA with surface rust. It is going to take a drimmel to get it apart.

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They look great! The paint is gone on my upper brass radiator tank, I'm considering polishing it and sealing it with a clear powdercoat. That idea got my wheels turning, and I've been thinking about brass powdercoating from a quality local outfit for my script. It could end up looking like a less nice-looking version of yours.