Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Hi all, I recently purchased a 1955 Four Hundred, and have been going through it to get it road worthy. Currently I am replacing the Kingpin and bearings. My understanding is that for the cars with power steering there should be two bearings, not a bearing and a bushing. However when I removed the steering knuckle I found someone had installed bushings top and bottom. I am thinking this is probably the reason the steering knuckle was loose as they appear to have worn. My question is am I missing something that would make two bushings the correct arrangement? I just want to be sure before I press in the new bearings. I did verify the OD of the bushings is the same as that of the bearings I received in my Kingpin kit. Thanks.

Please see parts diagram (interactive):packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/parts ... PlateNumber=31G&partslist=1955-1956

Service manual:packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/ser ... 5556/Sect16_Suspension_Steering.pdf

Should be a bushing and bearing for each pin.

Thanks your reply, This is where I have some confusion, if I look in the parts list, for group number 15.4085 which is the upper bearing, (I don't see a group number for the bushing) the part number is 339774. The part list shows cars with power steering have 4 of these and cars with out power steering have 2. The kit I purchased also came with 4 bearing, and no bushings. So I am assuming power steering vehicles use only bearings, but I am unable to confirm this by reading the manual.

G'day Strolchcat,
First posts, so to PackardInfo.

I invite you include your '55 Four Hundred in
PackardInfo's Packard Vehicle Registry.

The bushing group number is 15.409.

I suspect that is correct, that bearings are used instead of bushings, for power steering.