The Service Doctor

U -joints, lug bolts & nuts, full wheel covers<= /h2>

     For some reason, reports of problems in these areas have come to the attention of the editor recently. Some of the difficulties encountered by a few of our members prom= pt me to bring it up here, in the hopes of helping other members to avoid problem= s.

     A member was dri= ving his Packard one afternoon. All seemed well. After a few minutes of motoring, and with no warning, the left front wheel came off. It scared the ____ out = of the driver, nearly took him from the road, and destroyed the wheel, tire, steering knuckle and, worst of all, the fender, plus some other parts. This= was caused due to the fact that the lug bolts were not tightened when the wheel= was removed and reinstalled, some months before, inadvertently. This situation = can also occur after years of driving when some of the lug bolts or nuts, as the case may be, can loosen, especially on the left side, where the rotation of= the wheel is in the same direction as when the nut or bolt is removed. We recommend checking lug bolts and nuts annually.

     Full wheel cover= s, such as those on 1951 through 1956 Packards, and some Clippers, can move, or “walk,” causing the cap to press against the tire valve, thus bending it. In some cases, the valve can be bent sufficiently so as to rele= ase air. I had this problem on the left front wheel of my ’54 in July whe= n I was in Warren, although no damage was done to the valve.&= nbsp; Sometimes the teeth on the covers wear or the tabs loosen from repea= ted removal and reinstallation. Correction can involve readjusting the tabs or cleaning the wheel surface where the tabs make contact. Sometimes, replacement of the cap = is the only cure.

     U-joints = in general, and the 1951 through 1956 front U-joint on Ultramatic-equipped cars in particular, should not be overlooked as a regul= ar maintenance item. The Universal brand front U-joint on cars with Ultramatic= is the ball and trunion type. It must be repacked with grease every 25K miles,= or excessive wear can occur, requiring replacement, or resulting in failure. T= hese U-joints are nearly impossible to find, and where available, may cost $200 = or more. The rubber dust boot is also a critical factor in front U-joint wear;= it must be in good condition. Replacement boots are readily available. The rear U-joints for the Ultramatic cars, 1951 thru 1954, are also rare; they need lubrication, as well as the front and rear U-joints on standard transmission cars, every 1K to 15K miles, depending on year and U-joint type. Repacking the front U-joint and gr= easing the rear U-joint may make them last for years to come. Regular lubrication = also can prevent play in the drive-train.

     Head nuts= also need to be checked for proper torque. Loose heads can damage or ruin head gaskets. You can avoid getting a hernia by not having to remove the head. <= span class=3DGramE>60-62 foot pounds is Packard’s recommended #.

     When your Packar= d was new, it came with a service coupon book and regular reminder postcards from= the dealer when service and maintenance was due. Our Packards will be more dependable and trouble free, last longer and need fewer parts if we perform regular maintenance, as Packard recommended.

     Packards require regular service and maintenance in order to be dependable and to reduce expensive repairs and parts replacement. If you don’t know which items should be serviced and when, contact the Editor. I will send you copies of Packard service recommendations for your Packard.

     Nowadays, while = we are used to driving modern cars, that don’t require service as often as o= ur Packards, we tend to overlook regular maintenance procedures on the Packard= s. Think of your Packard as an antique that requires special care and treatmen= t. Packards will then perform as dependably as our modern cars!

~ Packard Recommended Service Procedures & Intervals ~

&= nbsp; &nbs= p; &= nbsp; &nbs= p; ste= ering & &n= bsp; = ; &n= bsp; Std./OD & oil bath rear

Series = Oil & filter suspension wheel bearings Ultramatic air cleaner* end

&n= bsp; = ; change pressure gun repack every = change fluid change oil change fluid

1930-39 Models &nbs= p; &= nbsp; > essentially the same as 194= 0-1950 Models <=

1940-42 Models = 1K – 2K = 1K miles = F 10K, R 30K = annually = 1K miles annually

1946,7 Models = 1K – 2K = 1K miles = F 10K, R 30K = annually 1K miles annually

1948-50 Models = 1K – 2K = 1K miles = F 10K, R 30K = S annually 1K miles annually

1951,2,3 Models 2K miles 1K miles &nb= sp; F 10K, R 30K U 25K miles 1K miles annually

1954 Models &= nbsp; = 2K miles 1K miles &nb= sp; F 10K, R 20K U<= /u> 25K miles 1K miles annually

+Torsion Level

1955 Models = 2K miles 1K miles &nbs= p; F 10K, R 20K = U 25K miles 5K miles annually

1956 Models &= nbsp; 2K miles 1K miles = F 10K miles U<= /u> 25K Miles 5K miles annually=

See previous page for U-joints. Annual fluid changes might be ex= tended to 2-3 yrs. due to light use. All lube fittings (Zerk fittings) should be greased every 1,000 miles, especially if driven in rain. Regular cha= ssis lubes will keep the steering and suspension nice and tight. Regular lubes a= lso force dirt and water off of the wear points. Don’t overlook Zerk fittings on transmission selector, drives= haft and brake pivot shafts.

Torsion-Level cars have an additi= onal 8 Zerk fittings!

>> Complete annual service = may only cost about $100 – cheap!! <<

Windshield Wipers: T= his is an area in which many of us need to take immediate action. Since wipers are= one of the easiest and least expensive items to repair, it really is inexcusable not to have wipers that work properly. And, it’s dangerous not to have working wipers. Not enough vacuum? Repair or replace the vacuum pump! Repla= ce vacuum hoses! Wiper motor not working? Have it f= ixed! $75 will pay for a rebuild, plus postage in both directions to Oregon. Vacuum w= ipers, when returned to factory specs, work perfectly well in all conditions, <= i>even while going up hills! That’s right!

Kent Jaquith; 2633 SW Obsidian, #15; Redmond, Oregon 9775= 6 (541) 923-4319 – call for pricing

Also, the steering gear is often overlooked. Have it serviced every 25,000 miles to prevent wear of the worm and roller, and excessive play in steering. If you use a non-det= ergent engine oil (ugh!), change it every 500 miles. Modern, high detergent motor = oils should be changed every 1,500 to 2,000 miles.

Please refer to the Packard Service Letters / Counselors

for<= /u> complete service and lubrication information

for<= /span> = your Packard

* Packard engines wi= ll last FOREVER (at least they won’t need further rebuilds during your lifeti= me) if you use a high-quality detergent oil and paper air filter (assuming that= you start with good bearings and good or new rings). Paper air filters that will fit 1940 thru 1950 Custom Eights (356 CID): Fram CA148; 1954 359CID and 195= 5-56 Senior (except Caribbean 2-4bbl): Fram C= A3549. Paper air filters are vastly superior to the oil bath system, and will incr= ease the life of the rings by preventing dirt build-up, thus keeping compression stable, reducing or eliminating oil usage and maintaining the designed horsepower rating.