Re: 51 Patrician 400 Rear Tire Removal

Posted by BH On 2008/5/6 7:25:25

Yes, when changing out a rear tire and wheel on these cars, it is best to let the axle drop down to give you maximum clearance.

However, I prefer to jack these cars up by the frame, rather than the bumper, for a tire change. Since you're not going under the car to do thid type of work, a small floor jack can do the job, with the saddle placed under the side rail, where the X-member joins up. Yet, you might need a scrap of wood to support the jack on soft ground.

It might interest you to know that randy berger adapted a compact jack used with GM cars of the 1980s (that was designed to fit the side frame rail) for use with his '56 Four Hundred, which is not much different than a '51 in this regard.

Last but not least, if your Packard has radial tires, know that you may still have to let some air out of the tire for it to fit between the brake drum and the wheel opening in the rear fender. That might suggest a need to carry a small portable air tank on long trips.