Packard Forum Index » General

While my car is having the Ultramatic redone, I am wondering if the steering can be made tighter? My brother-in-law thinks there is some adjustment that can be made that will reduce steering wheel play... What say the experts???

Check out the suspension and steering section of SMhttps://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/servicemanual4650/Section3.pdf The available adjustments & procedure are mentioned. Think this 46-50 is correct manual for yours but the adjustments are pretty much the same over the years.

There's an adjustment on the top of the box, just loosen the nut and use either a screwdriver or a wrench (depending on year and model, I've seen both) to tighten it to suit.

I don't recommend just arbitrarily tighening. You can cause internal damage to the gearbox if it's too tight - follow the shop manual instructions, or do it this way:

Jack the car to take the front wheels off the ground. Best but not essential to disconnect the steering linkage at the drag link. Carefully and slowly move then wheel back and forth over the center-point while gradually tightening the adjustment. The moment you feel any increase in effort required to pass the center point, back off a bit and lock it up. Use a fish scale on the steering wheel for extra precision.

I'm assuming you've already checked the tie rod ends, king pins, etc. and determined the slop is in the gearbox.

Yes, all the mechanicals were looked at and are in nice shape. Probably redone fairly recently. There is 'play' in the wheel in both directions of probably 6 to 8 inches. I don't want the resistance to be tighter, I want to get rid of some of the play in the wheel. I imagine some of this is just 'old car,' I remember my grandmother really "driving" (moving the wheel back and forth a LOT) an old Buick Roadmaster she had.

Paul, it's not just "old car". The free play at the steering wheel perimeter, properly adjusted should probably be in the range of 2 inches or less.

Try this observation. Crawl under and watch the steering gear box output shaft as the wheel in turned back and forth; if you can see the shaft move up and down even minutely, then try the adjustment that was outlined or that in the shop manual and let us know the outcome, please. That should make a very significant improvement, assuming the gear box itself is OK. And don't forget to check for lubricant in the gear box, SAE 90W gear oil is fine.

I will do that as soon as the car returns from the transmission shop. I thank you all again for your help!