Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Has anyone in this forum just replaced the steering wheel shaft. Mine is bent due to my forcing it when I converted my ultramatic to od. I was thinking I could replace the whole steering box and shaft by removing the steering wheel nut and pulling the gear box out the bottom. Upon looking at it I don't think this will work as the frame seems to be in the way. I think if I pull the box from the top, I will have to remove the power steering cylinder, the steering housing and all kinds of garbage. I just want to replace the shaft. Is there some way to get into the gear box and just disconnect the shaft, pull it out of gear box and replace it? Any insights are welcome.

Do you have access to a lift? If not, then I'd say no, not very easily.

Sorry, I have a correction to my post. Change power steering to read power brake master cylinder. I can get access to a lift. From what I can see, It looks like I will not be able to remove the steering gear box from the bottom unless I remove the steering wheel shaft first due to clearance from the frame. Which brings me to the question, How do I remove the steeing wheel shaft? How is it connected in the gear box?

Think you're looking at a project no matter which way you go. The suspension section of the 51-4 service manual gives a description of the procedure to remove the entire gear assypackardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/servicemanual5154/Suspension_XVI.pdf. The 55 will be very similar with just a few changes in the steps due to slightly different column.

To answer your question, once steering gear out, the shaft and worm are a single unit that comes out the bottom of gear box. Disassembly & removal is detailed in that section also or the suspension/steering section starting on page 14 of the 55 manual.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/ser ... 5556/Sect16_Suspension_Steering.pdf

Personally, I'd source a '56 column and box to replace it, as it's a modern two piece unit with a rag joint, and should bolt right in. I have such a pair that I was thinking of using on my Speedster, but am thinking of going another route. PM me if you're interested.

HH56, thanks for the info. The 54 information is so much better than the 55. Looks like a job that I have to do. I'm to old to do myself so I guess I'll have to farm it out.

Turopackman,
Thanks for the information on the 56 steering gear. The thought entered my mind before. The problem is, it would almost be as much of a problem to replace as the 55. Would still have to remove the steering column etc to get the shaft out. The plus to the 56 is that I could remove the shaft without having to remove the gearbox.