Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Took my car into a strange service place due to a low tire and had quite a spirited discussion over putting it on the rack.

Is there anything I can print and put in the glove box to show such people? They clearly thought I was nuts---and they may be right---look what I'm driving........

They ended up very reluctantly using a floor jack on the frame; not sure they understood what a frame is/was either.....

I wouldn't think a frame hoist would be a problem. The only cautions Packard mentions are in tech bulletin 54-T19packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/STB/54T-19.pdf and in the service manual. Essentially both say the same thing which is not to jack under the rear load arms and not place a jack under the protruding link and shock absorber on the front.

Thanks. Some people just have to have something "official" to see: this should do it.

You should turn the T/L system off if using a frame hoist or the rear wheels will go up the limit. Then when you let the car down, you will have to wait till the car levels out again. It is simple just to shut the T/L system off when being hoisted. The old type of racks where you drive on don't present the same problem. Are there any of those around anymore?

It was years ago, but a local church official had a torsion bar Packard. The Torsion Level was not turned off when the car went up on the rack and considerable damage resulted. When I took my 55 Patrician in to be greased, the shop owner refused to do it. He had had a bad experience with the Torsion Level.

To be on the safe side, my mechanic disconnects the battery before lifting the car.

When Craig was building his Panther, he photographed the gear end of the the auxiliary torsion bars The limit switch had apparently failed and the gears were twisted.

When I don't service it myself, all the service on my 56 Carib is done by a local garage that also services several other Packards with TL. Even though they know enough to disconnect the battery when lifting, I still paste a note on the windshield facing the driver so when they go to move the car they can't miss it and are reminded.

Thanks to all that mentioned turning off the T-L. Most important and it absolutely should have been in my response.

As per my usual, an attempt to be brief means I forget to mention vital info and covering all contingencies makes the reply so long people stop reading halfway thru. Writing appears to be a skill I will never master.