Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hello, I'm looking to do some work on my '56. The car has about 61,000 miles and the steering is all lose in the front end. I've tightened up the worm gear in the steering box but still having play in the steering wheel. I got to looking underneath and can see some play in the steering stabilizer. I figure that the front end has never been touched so I might as well replace most of the parts and be done with it. Kanter has what looks like a good kit. Has anyone done this to their '55-'56? Thanks!

Do you mean the cylinder

Control valve is a pain to get out

The 400 should have power steering. Are you checking for play with the engine off? If so, there will be movement in the control valve if the car has a Bendix power steering system or in the combination valve and power cylinder if a Monroe system. Play with engine off is the slight side to side valve movement and should disappear with everything tightening up once there is hydraulic pressure.

If the play is at the idler end attachment on the right frame rail or at the the power cylinder mounting on the left frame rail or at any place power cylinder or linkages attach together then that would be cause for investigating exactly what is happening.

I would NOT start taking things apart without determining exactly what is wrong. Any steering box adjustments should be made with a service manual at hand. Also, be sure that correct replacement parts are available for any replacements that may be necessary.

Most all steering systems will have play at the steering wheel unless the front wheels are pointed straight ahead. Check play on a power steering system with the engine running and the front wheels straight ahead.

May cars have a flexible coupling in the steering shaft. These couplings often develop play. Most steering shaft couplings are located between the firewall and the steering box.

As noted above there is a lot of play when the engine is off as the control valve is not pressurized.

On those cars the kinpins and trunnions are not especially wear prone, you can check all that easily by jacking the lower control arms as close to their outer end as possible to take the stress off the joints.

At age 66 you are almost certain to need upper inner bushings and the lower inners will likely need replacing, though they do last much longer than the uppers. There are modern replacements noted in the interchange chart on site here.

Thanks for the reply. While underneath the car with the engine off, I had someone move the steering wheel from side to side. I was able to see the steering stabilizer move and it looked like the bushing for it was loose. Also, while going down the road, you have to pretty much constantly move the steering wheel quite while driving, more than you should it seems.

Hello, what are some ways to identify whether I have a Bendix or Monroe system? Thank you!

Just two long hydraulic hoses = Monroe.

Two long and two short (underneath) hoses = Bendix.

Here are pages from the parts manual showing the systems. Bendix has a control valve and power cylinder so two separate components, Monroe is a single integrated unit.

Bendix System

Monroe System