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lowering
  • olds350cutlass
    Posts: 4Hitchhiker
    i have a 56 clipper super its got that leveling torstion bar set up i really dont know much about packards i was wondering if i can lower the whole car down to get the stance i want if its possible what do i need or what can i do
  • Turbopackman
    Posts: 177Gold Member
    Not without a lot of work, how low do you want to go?
  • olds350cutlass
    Posts: 4Hitchhiker
    a few inches im making it a hot rod is hot rod black red steely rims with wide white walls then i have the original motor and trans im looking for parts to build it up some but it just sitts to high for a hot rod right now i didnt know if i could lower the torsion bars or something cause on my truck i raised them to level it out i didnt know if i could do the same to this or not
  • Oldcar_MechanicOldcar_Mechanic
    Posts: 1,786Platinum Member
    I believe that they have an electric motor under the car that operates the torsion bars. Maybe you can disconnect the wires and hook them up to an alternate source to be able to lower it youself and keep it here. I don't think you will get it as low as you may want though.



    Ron
  • Turbopackman
    Posts: 177Gold Member
    Oldcar_Mechanic wrote:
    I believe that they have an electric motor under the car that operates the torsion bars. Maybe you can disconnect the wires and hook them up to an alternate source to be able to lower it youself and keep it here. I don't think you will get it as low as you may want though.



    Ron



    That won't work to lower the whole car overall. Think of the suspension as a teeter totter, lower the rear, raise the front. When I had my '56 Patrician, I hooked up the suspension through the antenna switch, and could lower and raise it manually, but you need to run it through the limit switches or you start twisting the main gear inside the T/L gearbox.



    If you want to lower the whole car completely, send me a pm and I'll hook you up with a guy in Colorado that's doing it to his '55 Clipper.
  • olds350cutlass
    Posts: 4Hitchhiker
    yes i want to lower the whole car whats a pm?
  • Oldcar_MechanicOldcar_Mechanic
    Posts: 1,786Platinum Member
    A PM is a Private Message. Click on his name and the window pops up that shows one choice to send a private message.



    Turbopackman, thanks for the clarification on that. I have never really worked on these but have seen them. I appreciate the input.



    Ron
  • Turbopackman
    Posts: 177Gold Member
    Thanks for the pm clarification, and no problem on the Torsion Level tidbit. A lot of people don't know the nuances of that particular suspension. Heck, I even had an argument with a guy at a car show about my Patrician and it's supposed "air ride" suspension.

    With so few cars made, and so few people into them, it only takes owning one for a few months before you become an "expert", lol!
  • Oldcar_MechanicOldcar_Mechanic
    Posts: 1,786Platinum Member
    I have worked on many cars over the years and the first time I had a Packard with that suspension on it up in the air, I scratched my head for a while. Having any older car is an experience and a fun one to boot, if you are into these cars. For us older guys they are the memories from long ago and for the young guys, it's a real learning treat I think.



    Many cars from long ago have things that a lot of people have never seen nor heard of and it's a pleasure to be on a site like this with the collective education about these rare accessories.



    Thanks again for your input Turbopackman and Jon, keep us posted as to how you make out.



    Ron