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

Joe
The number on my new seal is CR 17523.

I ended up buying mine from Merritt.

Mine came from a supplier here in Dayton, a lot less expensive, I'm sure. I think they were about $20 for the pair.

I bought a pair of NAPA seals (17599) for my '41 limo in 2005. I paid $22.97 incl. tax for the pair. In checking the current price ... I find it's doubled.

Per NAPA, the 18149 seals I had in the car are off on the inside diameter by a tenth or a hundredth, so no wonder. This number is for International trucks.

West's 17523 is still off on the outside diameter (both had the same outside diameter) and width, but correct for the inside diameter, so I ordered those, have to come from Seattle, but will be in tomorrow morning. They are $11-something each.

Packard Spec is
O D 2.734 +/- .002
I D 1.750
Width = 31/64 (.484)

See 17523 specs below.

Both sides held for a long while with the wrong seals, but all it took was some wearing to cause the one side to leak, plus a good dose of wheel bearing grease when we repacked the bearing a few months ago. The right front was fine.

I also bought a 2" socket on sale to tap them back in. A bearing driver kit is about $50. I considered it. I've always been glad when I have a rarely used, specialized tool to do the job right, so maybe I'll buy a kit later.

And I bought a wheel bearing packer where you put the bearing between a couple cones and pump grease through a fitting.

WHOOPS, edit: JD, The specs of 17599 are closer than 17523 because the width is spot on. So now I'll call NAPA and see if they have those. Then I can start working.

EDIT 2: And the beat goes on. According to NAPA the width will not make any difference. He has the 17599 in stock, too ... but they are more than double the price, $22 each. He also found a bearing driver for $30 that does several sizes, so I think I will use the savings of that. UNLESS ...

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I went through the process of trying to get mine from NAPA before finally giving up and ordering from Merritt. Or Kanter. I don't remember. They were $20 each, and I was certain they would fit. They did.

The interesting thing was, the old felt seals I removed, apparently someone had problems sourcing them years ago. The OD was off, because there were strips of a Quaker State oil can used as shims to tighten up the fit. How many years ago did oil come in a metal can? Fifties or sixties?

Quote:

Maybe some still did but I distinctly remember by then many used a rolled cardboard "can" formed like a thin shipping tube with a metal top and bottom. There was a separate spout you could buy almost anywhere oil was sold. Had a puncture apparatus you pushed against the container to penetrate the metal and provide the pour.

If you messed up the puncture, when tipping to put the spout in the oil filler opening oil could dribble down the sides and make a real mess. Those were the good old days.

Shop tool suggestion. I have a variety of PVC fittings (bushings, couplings, etc.) that I use as seal drivers. I can accommodate different size seals. Also, the PVC is soft, yet strong, and is less likely to damage the seals. Large sockets work too, but PVC is a heck of a lot cheaper. I also have a regular seal driver kit.

(o[]o)

Yes, Howard, those are the ones I remember. However, this shim I have was made from a metal can. That's why I'm thinking fifties.
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JW, great idea.