Re: 1956 Twin Traction Differential Identification

Posted by Brian Wilson On 2020/7/23 18:26:58

Thanks Gerry and O-D

Yes, I had heard that the Dana rear axle units were different between the Clippers and Packards in 1956. Mine may have had tags on at some time but it doesn't now. But it does have a "T" on the flange of the differential case. My differential unit is actually fairly clean - slight weep from the cover gasket - which makes me think it might have been apart somewhere along the way. But the rear wheels do both turn in the same direction when it's up in the air, so I'm convinced it's a Twin Traction.

The obvious question is why Packard offered the Twin Traction option on both Clippers and Packards, given it involved a different Dana axle unit. Perhaps it was just the novelty. It was something very new then.

The original parts and service documentation doesn't really provide answers. Only to say that the Twin Traction assembly must be replaced as a unit, since the components were not available individually. Presumably, that applied to both rear axle units.

As I mentioned earlier, the Twin Traction rear end on mine doesn't feel like it does vey much. At least compared to race cars with Weismann "lockers", where the most notable effect was for the car to continue straight on at a corner!

Brian