Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Hello gentlemens, I'm new here and I would need some advice from more experienced colleagues.
I would also like to apologize for my poor English, I'm from the Czech Republic and I have never studied your language.
Last year, I bought a 1953 Packard Clipper in a very poor condition, but now it's drivable and legal for our roads. Unfortunately, I still have several issues that I need to address.
The most serious one is an oil leak from the differential, through the axle shaft onto the wheel. I need advice from more experienced individuals.

Will this repair kit be sufficient?

AXLE SEAL KIT

Should I rather buy a bearing kit as well?

Rear Wheel Bearing Kit

What is your experience? Thank you very much for your help.

Stajgr

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You need inner oil seals. Then your will repack the bearings with axle grease. Obviously verify the bearings are in good shape, but they usually are unless horribly abused and run dry.

Two things to reference are the parts diagrams for your car:packardparts.com/1948-54-illustrations/

And the service manual:packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/archive/content.php?op=&catID=10&ContentID=4

These will give you most of the drawings and instructions you will need for repairs.

To me it looks like the axle kit includes these parts. I would think that would fix a leaking axle, but be careful that the new seals are installed well or you will be right back where you started. In particular, ensure the axle shaft is polished smooth where the seals will go. Over the years, the grime in the differential fluid can get in between the seal and axle, and abrade that area.

To remove the brake drum and get to the bolts holding the axle and seal assy you will need a very heavy duty puller of the type shown in the service manual. Don't know about your country but over here something similar can be rented -- but will need the one for trucks and not the one used for typical small cars.

After the drum is off you can reach the bolts holding the outer seal retainer and backing plate which acts as the bearing retainer so you can remove the axle to reach the inner seal. Do not try to remove the drum with anything but a puller or you can distort or damage the drum. The other tools shown for checking end play or pulling and supporting the axle can be home made or improvised. Follow the procedure in the service manual for checking axle end play and if you do not have the manual, the rear axle section can be downloaded from the literature archive.

When you remove the axle to replace the inner seal check the area of the shaft where the seal lip makes contact to make sure there is no scoring or rough spots that can damage the new seal. When removing or replacing the axle be sure not to let the rough length of the axle shaft rest on or slide over the new seal as you move the shaft back into its position in the differential.

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Hello, thank you all very much for the valuable advice. I will buy Axle Seal Kit, and hopefully, the bearings will be fine. I might not be able to find a wheel puller in this specific design here, but I'll try using a universal one with the same bolt pattern.
I will keep you informed about how it turns out, but it will take a few weeks. The parts will arrive in 2-3 weeks, and then there will be additional work to be done.
I will have more questions regarding other parts of the car, but for now, thank you very much, and have a nice day.

Stajgr

P.S. I have filled in some information about my car in the registry, just in case it is needed.

2692 [ 2601 ] Clipper Touring Sedan

G'day stajgr,
to PackardInfo.

for including your '53 Clipper Touring Sedan in PackardInfo's Packard Vehicle Registry.

Here is a thread about drum pullers. There are a few more, the universal 3-arms ones seem to work for most people, but some people have suggested the 5-arm ones.


Here's a video about it, using a 5-arm puller:

Removing a brake drum, 1947 Packard

There are a number of threads on this topic, here is one:

Pulling the rear hub/drum

Is it possible that the rear hub is loose on the axle shaft, thus allowing lube to work along the axle shaft and keyway and leak out onto the outside of the wheel at the axle nut?

I'd think a leaking seal would allow lube to leak into the brake drum and onto the inboard side of the wheel.

If the hub is indeed loose on the shaft, a puller may not be needed, but additional parts may be.

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Thank you for the welcome, it was my pleasure to fill out the registration form. Today, I also added the engine number

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Perfect, thank you very much