Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

As part of my restoration of my 55 Caribbean I am removing the front end as well as the rear drums and shocks. By removing the front end the arm of the torsion system has a lot of tension on it. My question: is there a manual way to release the tension on the bars without having the tool that is mentioned in the manual.
The motor for the system has been previously removed and there was no tension on the arms connected to the motor when I removed it.
Any advice to tackle that issue would be appreciated.
Walter

Several have used chains to hold the load arm. Check out Craig"s Panther site for some ideas.http://www.1956packardpanther.com/Panther/adjLinks.html

Yes, the front load arm can be secured with a chain and a good bolt. If you are only removing the top arm in the front, you can place jack stands under the lower A-frames and that is sufficient to remove the upper arms for bushing replacement.
Most of us have discovered that the lower A-frame bushings do not need replacement as the rubber in those bushings is rarely found to be bad.

Dear Walt:

I agree with Randy about the lower control arm bushings.

What I have used is a piece of 3/4 inch threaded bar stock through the shock tower to unload the upper control arm. It's a safe method.

Don't forget too that when you install rubber bushings they should be torqued with the car at ride level height. You do this with the nose off by havings a few big guys sit on a long board to level the suspension.