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

Now that I've got my oil light problem solved, another one crops up.

It appears that the front universal joint on my 53 Clipper Dlx needs some work; the boot gave up in the middle of the Mojave Desert(and I thought I had hit a small animal crossing the freeway!), and now the joint's spewing grease all over the undercarriage.

I've talked to my mechanic and to Kanter and need to determine if it's a 2 1/2" or a 2 3/4' driveshaft, before ordering the part from Kanter.

My mechanic says there has been problems with said Detroit joints and wonders if I should take the car to a driveshaft shop and have a different part cobbled in. I'm talking to him today about the options. Kanter says the part is a bolt in.

I'm prone to go with the bolt in.

What are the experts' suggestions.

Thanks

I think the biggest issue is availability. If you have Ultra believe it also used the ball and trunion type as did the 55-6. If so, the smaller ones are still semi available but believe the larger ones are almost extinct.

If you are going to modify I think it kind of depends on the price of a maybe hard to find bolt in part vs the other suggestions cost and availability and future servicing.

Does the joint itself need work or replacing or just the boot need replacing? If just the boot then there are 51-4 boot replacement kits available from Max and maybe Kanter too.

HH56 gives sound advice.
There is a derogatory term used when replacing a part with something that isn't designed to go there - @#$$^& -rigging.
Don't do that - replace the part with the the proper component. You will save yourself grief over the long haul.
If there is no play in the joint, then replacing the boot is all that is required and pack in some new grease.

The ball & trunnion joint is a fine design and gives very long service as long as the boot stays intact to contain the grease, and the joint is repacked with fresh grease occasionally. As well and Packard, Chrylser use them for decades without issues. The smaller (Clipper) joint is still available and as Randy says replacing it is the best choice if in fact it needs it. Otherwise repack the grease and install a new boot. It's the larger unit for the senior cars that is nearly extinct.

PS - interesting side story which came to me second hand. I was told every Detroit joint ever made was made in Pottstown, PA at NEAPCO. They had the license and everybody reboxed NEAPCO. In the 80's their accountant told them they could not have their "archives"...a room of obsolete u-joints. They had 2000 of the Packard Senior rear joints which also fit my 48 Chrysler 8. Price was $5 each. I had them send me 50 to confirm application. It was. I drove to Pa to work a deal on the remaining inventory and was told the quanity was 0. How could that be? Turned out Iran did not have the capacity to produce u-joint for oilfield shafts...but could make shaft. Iran bought the Senior Series rears with the intent of making the shafts to fit them.

O_D, can't wait to see what kind of responses your latest posting regarding Iran creates. This could get interesting.

(o{}o)

Sorry I missed this post, my reply belongs here.


If you don't mind my suggestion, go to your local driveshaft specialist and get the joint or take the driveshaft with you and let them install the joint for you. They can also inspect the shaft for cracks or other problems you might not have been looking for and re-balance the shaft if necessary.

That way you are helping to support a local specialist (I don't mean the chain drive shaft shops)and you know you will get support in the future. If you can't find some one in your area may I suggest Denny's Driveshaft here in Buffalo. I have know Denny for many years and the guy is a true master.


www.dennysdriveshaft.com