Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Quote:

Am assuming you have the flat type that does not slip over the edge of dash opening to hold. It appears Packard frequently held those flat clips in position with masking tape or if it was accessible when they assembled the part, maybe just held it in position.

Possibly you could clean the dust off the ledge where the clips are and place a piece of tape with a strong adhesive -- something like gorilla tape -- over the clip to hold it while you remove the screw. I more expect you will need to figure a way to reach up and hold the clip with your fingers and maybe have someone else turn the screwdriver.

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Either the threads on the screw are rusted or stripped out and no grab on the clip, or the clip is spinning. I had 2 screws where I had to reach up from underneath and wedge things with a small vise grip ( I used a small needle-nosed version) to get them out. Be sure to swear, that often seems to help.

I went under the dash and the clip doesn't move when I turn the screw. I can feel the screw move.

Sounds like threads stop and there is nothing but smooth metal just below the head. With the screwdriver pushing the screw up, the speednut tang is in that smooth section and the threads can't grab anything to start unscrewing

You might try unscrewing again, this time using as little as possible upward pressure on the screwdriver and use something like a putty knife on top to push down on the point of the screw at the same time. Possibly you can push the screw down enough so the threads can bite and start coming out.

When you work on the dash, be sure to disconnect the battery. The old wiring can easily short out while you are moving things around and cause damage. Also, if you reach up under the dash, remove the speedometer cable before you try to move the instrument cluster forward. I usually use a plastic pry bar under the top of the cluster to get it to swing forward and down.