Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Is the shaft from the trunk key cylinder suppose to fit snug in the latch release or is there supposed to be a lot of slop/play? I have a latch that does not want to release. I have taken it apart and found a lot of space around the cylinder's rectangular shaft that goes into the latch release. Do I need a new cylinder?

Not sure exactly where you are finding excess space but the lock cylinder does fit snugly in the outer housing which is the part thru the trunk lid held by the retaining clip. That is where the 5 or 6 movable pieces operated by the key have a place to do their job.

There does appear to be a lot of space at the end where the tang operated by the cylinder works the latch release mechanism. It looks like the space is provided for an adequate turn of the cylinder yet still allow the release mechanism to move slightly when the latch expands to lock in the hole in the striker. Does your lock match figure 72 on page 21 of section XIX body section of the SM and are all the springs good?packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/servicemanual5556/Sect19_Body.pdf

Many times the striker plate in a not cooperating lock is out of adjustment. Have you tried loosening the 3 bolts and adjusting the striker plate in the slots or oversized holes slightly?

Thank you for the quick response.

To answer the question about the figure 72 on pg 21: yes. But as I read your answer you think that I am having trouble with the lock cylinder. I guess that I was not clear. The cylinder is of proper fit and function. It is the "tang" that interfaces with the latch that has copious amount of extra space in the slot that it is inserted into. The slot is almost double the size of the tang.
The latch slot is located in the darkend oval in the latch directly to the left of the arrow that is pointing to the spring clip that holds the key cylinder in place in the trunk lid. The latch is operating correctly when the cylinder is removed and a flat blade screw driver is inserted and used to turn the latch. Everything has been adjusted and works with the exception of the key cylinder when installed. The key turns in the cylinder when not installed.
But my main question remains: is there supposed to be a great deal of space around the tang when installed in the latch? The tang turns to a 60 degree angle to make contact with the latch to activate it.

Been too long since I had a 55 apart and the 56 has a completely different latch assy. Perhaps someone with a 55 can take a photo of their lock and look to see if there is some kind of insert that fits around the tang and fills that large space. Packard often did use rubber or plastic bushings and grommets in mechanisms to minimize vibration noise so perhaps something did fall out.