Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

G'day Fellas, I need a little of your expert advice. This may have been a previous topic but my search didn't turn anything up. As my Patrician seems to be going through a service or replace phase, I'm trying to get ahead of the game.

In a previous topic I spoke about brakeing issues, specifically that the reco'ed BTV has insufficient power boost for my liking. I had the front brakes relined about 18 months ago but this didn't help. Yesterday I went back to the brake place and they suggested that "woven" linings, although a little dearer, would make the world of a difference. So, I had already bought a replacement set of shoes from Mike Dulinski and I'm now getting them relined with woven at the moment. After this I plan to have the rear shoes relined with the same stuff, which incidentally my brake specialist said would work much better if both shoe linings were the same size. I can't recall if they are different sizes like the fronts, but will give his idea a go if they are.

This brings me to the reason for this topic. While I'm fiddling about on the rear end, is it possible to regrease the wheel bearings? I think I recall reading somewhere that it is possible to do some modification to enable regreasing, but I can't remember exactly what it was or where it is. Other than that, do I just have to wait until the bearings need to be replaced? If it is this then I hope I'm not caught out wherever I am at the time. Cheers, John

Rear wheel bearings on the new Dana 1956 rear axle are permanently sealed and not repackable.

I'll be interested to hear the results of your change to woven brake linings though I'd not be optimistic that you'll get more breaking force with them.

Thanks OD, I was afraid someone would say that. I guess we must assume that Packard expected these bearings to last for life, why else would they fit something unserviceable. It wouldn't be to save a dollar or two, would it?

I've fitted the front brake shoes and am about to start on the rears. I'll report back how it all turns out. Cheers, John

I guess we must assume that Packard expected these bearings to last for life, why else would they fit something unserviceable. It wouldn't be to save a dollar or two, would it?


Service life of the more traditional roller and cup axle bearings may actually be shorter than the sealed bearings if their regular repacking intervals are ignored, so from a service life viewpoint the sealed bearings can be at least as good, if not better. And they do reduce assembly (and service) time because they eliminate the need to adjust and shim for rear axle end play. If you've ever had to adjust rear axle end play on the 30s Senior cars with the dual opposed axle bearings and the shims behind the inner cup, you'd really appreciate the situation. Packard used sealed rear axle bearings in the 30s on some Juniors, and Cadillac used them from the 30s. They aren't "unserviceable", you service them by replacing them just like you'd service bad tapered roller and cup bearings which also require pressing them on and off the axle shaft.

Here's an illustration of the typical rear wheel bearing arrangement on the prewar Senior models - you'll note the shims for adjusting the axle shaft end play are behind the inner cup; thus to make an adjustment you must not only remove the outer cup and axle shaft, you need to remove the inner cup to add/subtract shims - not a particularly enjoyable task. Compare that with the simplicity of the 56 Dana axle arrangement.

PS - one thing I've always found interesting about these illustrations is that they show both the wire spoke and wooden artillery wheel construction.

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Actually sealed bearings have longer service lives than regular bearings regardless of service methods. With the advent of the lithium complex long life thickeners petroleum research engineers found the primary detriment to service life was corrosion. Once a good seal was developed the new greases didn't deteriorate.

Today greases like Exxon Infinitec have service lives that are longer than the life of the vehicle.

They found the same to be true of suspension parts. As long as the vehicle isn't submerged, greasing chassis parts introduces dirt and moisture into the system that reduces service life compared to sealed chassis parts. Thus, no more grease fittings except for off road applications.

Thanks for the info fellas. I haven't had any previous Packard experience with sealed bearings so the plan now is to drive until something doesn't sound right and attack it then. By the way, having had a '46 Clipper Deluxe before this car I am familiar with shimming out the rear axles to get the right amount of end-play and you're right, it is a pain in the proverbial. Cheers, John