Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

I'm looking at a 55 400 that the seller says it will vibrate pretty bad but sometimes goes away as you speed up. Also says at a certain point when turning the steering wheel it stop altogether. From that limited description would you guys say it needs a front end rebuild?

Sounds like the upper inner control arm bushings are gonzo. Just open the hood and look -- easy to inspect. They are not the simplest things to R&R though.

Craig

Also where and what speed is the vibration. Has it definitely been traced to the front end? The A arm bushings are a good suspect but a vibration present at a certain speed and gone when speeding up or slowing to turn could also be U joint related. Packard had issues in the Patrician and 400s with the rear U joint being out of line and causing a vibration around 60. Was corrected by adding a shim to rear axle to raise the nose a bit. If rear suspension bushings have deteriorated and the axle is tilted again or twisted or otherwise not in alignment with driveshaft that might also cause vibration issues to reappear.

Those cars will do a heavy shimmy if they are low on power steering fluid or if the rubber grommet on the the end of the power steering ram has deteriorated away. At least those two things are quick and easy.