Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I recently purchased a 1955 Clipper Constellation with a power steering issue. There doesn't seem to be enough clearance for one of the hoses and it bends/crimps off the line. I'll post a few pics and would appreciate any help on this.

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Something don't look correct there. Is that ps ram right for the car?

It appears the control valve is mounted with the connections forward instead of toward the rear. Pitman arm mount looks wrong as well. Can't see enough reference points to see if anything else might be incorrect.

Kevin AZ brings up a good question about it being the correct unit. The shape and location of a couple of other things - hose connections to power cylinder in particular - look different than on the Bendix control valve Packard used.

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I think you'll find that the control valve has simply been installed upside-down (about its centerline). That is, the ball stud should have been loaded from above the pitman arm and the nut installed from below.

Pity that, in this day of instant and inexpensive digital photography, more people don't take even one picture that would have prevented this.

While it's also possible to assemble the "halves" of the control valve 180-degrees out of phase, I can't really tell - from the pix provided - if that's an issue, here, but kinda doubt it.

Try reinstalling the unit from above the pitman arm. Please review the shop manual for details on removal and installation.

Once installed correctly, with the hoses properly routed and reconnected, I'll bet the clearance problem goes away. Yet, cross your fingers and hope that the hose fittings haven't been damaged.

I am actually more concerned that the tapered hole in the pitman arm has been distorted/ ruined by forcing the taper of the ball stud through it the wrong way.

Yes, the valve assy should be above the pitman arm with hoses pointing to the rear. Now I am wondering what else was assembled backwards to make this mistake possible.

Oops, I completey forgot about that taper.

Made me wonder if the pitman arm had been left on the control valve, then installed incorrectly to gearbox, but believe the pitman shaft is tapered as well.

Shouldn't a 55 Clipper have Monroe PS?

G'day dpack,
A warm to PackardInfo. And a request, could you please include your '55 Clipper Constellation in the Packard Owner's Registry here on PackardInfo?

I have come to see that the two types were as randomly sprinkled onto the cars as different color jimmies on an ice cream cone.

My constellation has bendix...