Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Just last week (Dec 8, 2017) I got my 55 Pat back from a local high quality custom & classic repair shop (Top Notch Repair, Pahrump, NV). It's the first set of problems I've had with it since March 2001 when I bought it. The repaired problems were:

1) Original rear axle assembly had a couple of problems, to wit: (a) D-side outside bearing broke and tore up the outer axle and oil seal. (b) The center section had developed a serious whine due to a leaking pinion lube seal which allowed the lube level to get too low at one time. This low level probably burned up bearing(s) or R&P or ?.

2) The 3-prong brake light switch broke the plastic top which caused brake fluid to leak out. This was a Volkswagen replacement switch.

I talked to my friend Paul in Las Vegas and because things I had done for him, he volunteered the entire rear end assembly out of a 55 Patrician parts car he had if I would come over and remove it...which I and a couple of friends did.

Because I'm getting too old for this sort of swap, I had the local shop do the swap. The used replacement rear end assy from Paul was excellent. I had the shop also do a drum brake overhaul on it at the same time. The front is a disc brake conversion and needed no attention.

I had the shop replace the 3-prong switch with a standard 2-prong one because I have the T-L auto-level box removed (another story) and my Pat is converted to fully manual T-L control.

This info is just FYI. Something eventually breaks on these great old Packards, although it seems pretty rare. My Pat is driving great again with no noises from the rear end.

Craig