Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

After a long term restoration, a 55 400 is nearly ready to hit the road again. One of the last issues that needs to be addressed is a difference in side to side height. After following the recommended checks in the June 17, 1955 service bulletin, it seems in order to correct the left side being 2” lower than the right it will be necessary to replace a load arm link.
When the car was dissembled it was noticed that there were no grooves on either link. No notice was taken of any height difference at that time. Now that the car has been reassembled, and the gas tank nearly empty, the measure on the left side is 8” and on the right side is 10”. The driver’s seat was badly worn after approximately 36,000 miles. The milage was confirmed by a lack of a ridge ring. The torsion bar may have taken a set. Because of the rather large 2” difference it would seem that the left link needs to be #4 (part number 445907)?? Would this be correct?? Any, comments, suggested would be deeply appreciated.
Happy

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Craig Hendrickson made these

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Early 55s did not have the grooves in the links but the bulletin did provide actual measurements so you might compare what you have now to what you might need. If something has actually taken a set even a 4 might not be enough and you will need to custom make something as others have had to do. There is a limit as to how far you can extend one though. Have you verified the compensator, transverse bars, and levers on the ends of the short bars are all installed and functioning correctly. It might be good to verity the ball ends of both small levers at the front of the short bars which connect to the transverse bars are about equal distance from the frame. If something is damaged or installed incorrectly the compensator could be pulling or pushing one side more than the other causing the issue.

If you do need to find a longer link, just remember the 55 and 56 links are in a reversed configuration and also have a slightly different geometry so are not interchangeable. Adjustable links were commercially made for 56 but AFAIK, not for 55. Making a pair for 55s such as those Craig made is the option there.

There is additional info on making different length links in a few posts on this thread.https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=24484&post_id=237418#forumpost237418

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THANK YOU VERY MUCH!! For your response, comments, and link, all very helpful. Compensator ball studs and bars are as shown in figure 21, suspension and steering chapter, page 8.
The front bushings of the rear load arms have not been replaced. They looked ok, but now they will be replaced before any work is done on the front link pins.
happy