Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

When i parked the car last fall the steering was fine. I took the car for a ride and something near the steering wheel makes the wheel hard to turn and it makes a click then it will be easy again. I didnt have tools with me so i couldnt take the steering wheel off but the only thing i can think of thats in that area is the horn wire but the horn works. Has anyone had this problem?

The horn wire and contact should not really cause any hard to turn issues since it turns with the wheel but if the insulator or support assy gets damaged and a piece of the insulation breaks off and is wedged somewhere it could bind or blow the horn at inopportune times. Does the gap between the shroud and bottom of wheel look to be clear and evenly spaced at around 1/8" or so?

Since you hear a click, if you have factory turn signals there could be an issue with the cancel pin that is pressed into the bottom of the steering wheel and how it is meeting the hooks on the switch release mechanism. If you have one of the aftermarket signal switches that clamps to the column and has a small rubber wheel that rides against the steering wheel hub to work a mechanism in the switch, that setup could have an issue.

There is also a three piece ball bearing assy around the steering shaft at the top of the column in which one of the pieces could have seized or even came apart. Neither the switch or the bearing should cause the steering to completely lock but either would cause noise if damaged and if something is rubbing, possibly some increased effort.

Some columns also have a thick piece of spring wire bent to work as an anti vibration spring that spans between points on the shroud and a pin which inserts at the end of the gearshift tube. If something there is amiss it could also cause noise and a bind.

If you check my 37 project, I replaced my upper column bearing as the odd ball bearing that was used was grinding and they are NLA. So I found a modern spherical bearing that worked great.

I'd raise the front of the car of ground so the wheels and suspension are hanging. The check the steering as there will not be any load of the steering. They it will be easier to diagnose where the binding is happening.

Check your steering box, not uncommon for the pitman arm seal to eventually wear out and leak, leaving the box dry. They are only have a 60 year warranty. Seals are fairly easy to come by.

As I recall wear and the lack of lubrication at the center link bearing under the radiator has been an issue for quite a few people with the prewar steering systems. A problem in the bearing would probably not explain the click you hear inside but perhaps the long sit has caused an issue that is contributing to the hard motion.

the car dosent have factory turn signals. Thanks for the replies. I have the car in a storage area about 10 miles from home. I guess i will have to bring it to my house when i get a chance. its frustrating when you park a car in the fall and no issues then restart in the spring and have issues.

Hi 29tons,
Big Kev & Howard have certainly outlined the potential issues, one of which being the steering box. I had this symptom with my '39 and before I got it resolved, the steering locked right up! I was driving on the highway trying to figure out what was going on and when it locked, I was forced into the oncoming lane. Had there been any traffic, my Packard days (and probably me) would have been over, but I got it over to the far shoulder and worked the steering wheel back and forth and it 'let go' and I could steer again. Scared me to the point of soilage and I limped it down the shoulder to a nearby garage and there a mechanic tracked the problem to the steering box. There are small ball bearings races on the cross shaft (in the '39 anyway) and one of them had disintegrated letting the balls fall down into the gear oil. eventually one of them got caught in the steering pinion gear and that caused the lock-up. This may or may not be your issue but just wanted to issue a 'word of warning' to you on my experience, as the consequences could be dire. Chris.