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

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Unfortunately finding the coefficient of friction of the friction material on a set of brake shoes isn't always easy. And comparing it to the original material specified by Packard engineers may be impossible.
The original material was Marshall 4112 and 9051 (different on the primary and secondary shoes). Marshall was purchased by Bendix in 1938. Bendix brakes has been sold five times and according to the
current manufacturer of Bendix brake shoes the original material specifications were lost some time ago. They are also using the same material on both the primary and secondary shoes.

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Your choice of friction material should always take into account the availability difference between the shoes and drums, however not to the exception of doing the job of the braking system.

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Could you explain this?

In response to your question the answer is no and no. Your shoes will be the same front and rear.

This is were the factory specification information is incorrect, and there was a later STB or SC that clarified this.


1954 Special and Deluxe Clippers used the smaller 11" brakes and had the smaller wheel bolt pattern like the 1955 Clippers

1954 Super Clippers (which includes Panamas) used the 12" brakes and larger bolt pattern. These are the same parts and sizes as a 1953 Clippers.

1954 Deluxes and Supers are visually the same on the exterior for that same body style except for the Super/Deluxe trunk script. 1954 Specials have less trim in general.

A quick check to tell them apart if a 1954 is missing it's trunk script:

It it's got a 3 Round Hole Gauge Cluster, then it uses older/larger 1953 sizes/parts.

If it has the "Sweeping" Gauge Cluster, then it uses the newer/smaller 1954/1955 sizes/parts.

Here is the STB that explains the differences. Looks like some 5411s could have had either:

packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/STB/54T-1.pdf

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for including your '54 Panama Hardtop in the Registry.

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I'd be interested in the story, if you care to share it.