Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Our 1955 Constellation drives like new except that every once in a while the rear will drop to the ground for no apparent reason. 60 to 70 percent of the time the suspension functions like it should.
When this happens the car will eventually adjust high then low one or two times then settle to normal and no problems for a day, week or month. The electrical system has been checked and the front end rebuilt and everything lubed several times.
Any Ideas on solving this problem would be appreciated.
John

Is this an electrical event? does the compensator motor run on its own to cause this or is it a mechanical occurance?

Topic moved to the 55-56 Forum. Thx

Here are two SCs to read and check out. Also make sure the bolts that hold the front link to the crossmember are torqued properly.

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/SC/SB-325.pdf

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/SC/SC-VOL30NO4.pdf

Thanks, John

SB-325 is very interesting and sure fits your symptoms, but if everything on the bulletins check out, would also check one other place.

I know this is extremely unlikely and erratic action doesn't appear to be happening enough to be the cause of your issue---but easy to check. Turn the suspension off and then remove the rod from control switch and make sure there is spring tension when moving the lever. I have in my possession a control box with a broken spring. Works normally except that without the spring, the internal mechanism is able to "float" and would periodically make contact. There is just enough internal friction that when the lever moved in operation, it also moved the mechanism normally & eventually to neutral so compensator would stop until the next good bounce or vibration caused it to make contact again.

Fresno, Thank you I will try your tip this weekend .
I attended Fresno State and hope to drive our Constellation to a show/swap meet in Fresno this this summer.

John