Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

My 55 400 is slowly getting renewed. The transmission leaks have been fixed, but a couple of others are still with me. The power steering pump drips fluid, slowly, but it drips. The power steering control (I don't know what else to call it)has a bigger leak. This is the part below everything else. How can I correct this? And where is the brand of steering gear fund? Don't know if it is Bendix or Monroe.

Any thoughts will be gratefully received.

Bernardi

Easiest way to tell the units apart is check the drawings in parts manual -- plates 31C and 31D.

But if that is not convenient, essentially the Monroe has just one large component underneath as the assist cylinder is built into the end of the valve section and there are only two long hoses going to the power unit.

The Bendix unit has two components. A valve section and then a separate power cylinder. There will be 4 hoses visible--two long as with the Monroe and then two additional short hoses between the cylinder and valve.

The vendors may have repair seals for the valve section but the 55-6 Bendix power cylinder could possibly be an exchange or replace only part.

The pump should be rebuildable if the shaft is OK -- It is mostly O rings and a shaft seal.

Thanks HH56 for the identification of Bendix vs Monroe.
My 56 Exec has 2 long and 2 short hoses. So i have Bendix.

NOTE that there is an STC or SC that covers some issue regarding backwards installment of the seal on the slave cylinder. I'm pretty sure it addresses the Bendix system.

There is a seal kit for the Bendix slave cylinder. I got one and I believe it was from Max Merrit.

Gentlemen -

Thank you for the information. It will be put to good use.

Bernardi