Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Even with power assist, it is necessary to turn the steering wheel a long way to get any action. Are there closer ratio steering boxes available? It would make the car much more pleasant to drive.

Bernardi

For 55 seniors, the PS ratio was 18.6:1 and juniors was 18.2:1. Essentially the same for 53-54. The boxes would probably interchange but doubt the slight difference would be noticed. 56 has 16.4:1 which might be more to your liking but to install that would require a complete change including steering column. 56 had the separate box with short stub and separate column with center coupling instead of the single piece shaft and column in 55 and earlier.

It still isn't, say. a Jaguar. Although the wires do look snappy......

Thanks for the information. Guess I'll live with the current ratio, maybe even learn to love it.

Bernardi

Check over the steering mechanism carefully for worn parts and often overlooked, loose bolts on the steering box and idler arm, also the pivot of the idler arm.

If everything is tight get an alignment done and a set of new shock absorbers all around.

Your steering will never be as tight as a new car but it should not be so loose as to be annoying. It should steer easily and accurately whether you have power steering or not.

If it is manual steering you may also need to adjust out play. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's adjustment procedure or you could ruin the steering box.

There are places that rebuild steering boxes for older model cars. By using the best bearings etc and fitting the tolerances as close as possible they can be a lot tighter than even a new old stock steering box. Don't know of any company that rebuilds Packard boxes but it might be worth looking into.