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

DM37, thanks = like I say, I had no issue with mine but with the clip off, I had oodles of room and access. Chris.

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I was wondering about that too as I can see absolutely no reason to remove a spring unless 1937 is radically different than 1940. I know that the center arm was a relatively late addition so not sure sure when it was added but, short of spring replacement, I can't think of any reason to remove a spring. Even changing the shocks does not require it.

I've never owned or worked on a '40, but on the 37, you cannot get the bracket for the center link out of the frame without removing one of the coil springs. The pin that holds the bearings in has to come out from the top, which means removing the center steering link and its associated bracket out of the frame IOT remove the pin that allows you to service the bearings. In order to get that assembly out, you have to remove part 15.502 in the drawing with the bearing circled in red. Not sure the official name, but I call 15.502 the lower control arm. Removing that lower control arm is removing the spring, or at least completely de-tensioning it, so the lower control arm can be removed. I posted a link to a writeup from my project blog earlier in this thread with the detailed steps. Spring tension absolutely has to be released, unless someone knows something I don't. I've done the job twice, once with no body on the frame and once with the body installed, and I had to remove a spring each time.

On the '37 springs, it is pretty easy to safely remove the spring given the very deep upper coil buckets.

Edit: P/N 15.502 is called the ARM ASSEMBLY, Wheel (front) support (with pin & bearing)