Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I have a few questions about my 1930 7 series Packard. I have posted two pictures of the rear leaf springs. Can anyone tell me if this is the stock setup? It appears to me that the U-bolts are not correct. And additional lowering blocks have been added???
There are 8 leaf springs... does this give us a clue as to what this car was?
The parts book has canvas covers and sheet metal segment covers for the leaf Springs. Was this an option or where both used?

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Springs were oiled, wrapped in canvas, and then covered with terne plate (metal) covers. Seepage from the Bijur kept them oiled. The blocks and U-bolts are not original, nor are the leaf clips.

The block on top is shaped like it belongs. Is it possible that this block is original?

Could well be, I kind of jumped the gun in saying "blocks", plural. Have you checked the Service Letters or parts list for illustrations?

I didn't have any blocks in the suspension on my 733. You will probably run in to a lot the same problems I did while working on my car. I documented the chassis rebuild here, it may help you out:

https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=8039&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=0

Todd

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Awesome thanks

Where did you get your axle bearings and seals? Seal for pinion? Seal for transmission?

Also do you have information about the leaf springs that you bought from Detroit Spring?

Thanks for documenting your work... it is very helpful

Mike

Mike, I believe I got seals and bearings from Max Merrit and the springs were custom. I gave Eaton my old springs and they replicated them. They had old books on hand to figure out the proper amount of "spring" they needed based on year, body type and wheelbase. I still haven't put a body on that frame to know if they ride at the correct height.

Another source for bearings and seals would be George at OlCar Bearing, a mainstay and highly-regarded vendor to the hobby for many decades and a vendor I can highly recommend. Also most if not all the wheel and axle bearings are still active modern numbers so your local bearing shop should be able to provide them. All the bearing numbers are listed in the Hollander Interchange Manual if you have access to one and sourcing them in either of these ways should be far less expensive than buying them from Max.

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