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

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Fred
The center steering link is a "pin" with a bushing up by the arrow in my photo. It's got a Zerk fitting on the bottom for greasing, something many non-Packard mechanics failed to see.
You used to carry those. I think your price was around $70.

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West, not sure when they changed to the style shown on your '40. On my '37 115c, I have two bearings (sealed type) and a pressed in pin. No greasing required.

I believe Fred was answering a question of mine regarding the ball studs connecting the drag link to the pitman arm and center link.

Good news is, the original poster is getting lots of advice!

No grease fitting on 38 junior center links either.

Good God I'm loosing it. For some reason I had it in my head that we were talking about a 1941 120. Sorry Fred.
Carry on.
I think I've just been elected president of the idiot club again. That means it's gonna be my picture on that dag blasted non-existing membership card again.

So Ken, now I'm just curious. Is your center steering link okay?

The bearings were shot. If I ever get around to updating my project blog, I've got some pictures. The pin itself was fine. Pressed in new bearings, shimmed it up to a comfortable fit, and she looks like new. I have almost the whole front end back together again, but I still have to set the running torque on my center link.

Oh yeah, and bolt the steering box back on! Still looking into how/if I want to rebuild that at this juncture.

Quote:West,

The original poster Vintage41, Jamie, certainly has a '41 120. A picture of it is included in this thread. Regarding the pivot pin I can confirm that '41 120's use the same/similar type to those you describe for the 180. To replace the cactussed pin in mine, found a NOS one on eBay and used that when I rebuilt the front end a few years back. And because of that I learned about belleville washers!

Need a bit of terminology refereeing here. As I get older I often mishear what someone says to me, then I reply and teh other peson mishears what I say. It';s better than any comedy show on TV.

"I'm going away for a while"

"You want to go for a walk for a mile?

"No I'm going away"

"Ok, you pay for lunch today"

Terminology, I deal with auto parts every day.

There is an arm in the center of 35-42 IFS chassis (except Clipper). It is called the CENTER STEERING ARM in common terms. It has a pin on which it rotates and either a set of bearings (early) or a bushing and belleville washers (late). Late style has a Zerk at the bottom that never gets greased and the early has no fitting so both wear out.
Thanks to Packard this alone keeps us in business.

The PITMAN ARM on the steering box is connected to the CENTER STEERING ARM by a DRAG LINK. Modern steering designs (Modern, as in 41 Clipper and up and most other cars) have a CENTER LINK about 3 feet long and while the DRAG LINK discussed here is not exactly the same in function it is commonly called the CENTER LINK also.

WES,

Your membership applicattion the the IDIOTS CLUB has been rejected, you forgot to sign the check. As far as your terminology faux pas, let it be known that you are just a DRAG. Better luck next time.

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It's Ken's fault for hi-jacking the thread.

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Actually, the second app went through without any questions. However, Ozstatman has exonerated me, and membership has again been denied.