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

Is there a procedure/manual on setting bearings after packing them? Or do you just snug up and lock the nut on end of shaft? Thought there would be a certain torque placed on bearing.
Thanks,
Ducky

Yes, there are many published procedures, by Packard and others, there is probably one in the 1954 shop manual, have you checked your shop manual? There is one in 1955 or 1956 manual or Service Counselor but note it was published with a significant error, later corrected.

You really don't want any preload or torque on tapered roller wheel bearings, old time mechanics adjusted by 'feel' and mine always instructed me to have just a tiny hint of free play, enough that you could just barely feel but not see, and that's still how I do it. Someone will surely correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Packard's final procedure was to tighten snugly (20 lb-ft) to insure everything was seated, and then back off. Then tighten to 4 lb-ft and back off (loosen) one hex and then to the next cotter pin hole.

It's important to make sure that the seats have been pressed fully into position and not rely on tightening the nut to do so. As for tightening, I typically tighten it until the drum takes some force to turn, then back it off until free. There are a variety of other ways of doing it too.

Thanks. I had looked thru manuals but did not find anything specific, will keep looking. I appreciate your processes and will proceed in same fashion but keep looking for anything Packard published. I did not find a service bulletin on this but will continue my search.
Ducky

The procedure I referenced was in an issue of the Service Counselor, not in a Technical Service Bulletin. See the last entry on the page below, bottom of right column.

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Appreciate it. I started on removal of rear hub and could not pull. Started to adjust star wheel to figure out which way to loosen shoes and it is locked up now. Star wheel does not seems to only turn one direction. It does not appear there is a locking tab to prevent it from independently moving in loosen direction. From the drawings I have found it appears the lower spring acts as resistance to keep start wheel positioned. I am working the rear passenger wheel, star wheel at bottom, able to rotate it down not up. Down appears to be tightening the brakes. Is there something I am missing to get start wheel to move in other direction?

Now I am really in trouble, went back at it, trying to rotate the star wheel and cannot get it to turn in either direction. Wheel totally locked up, only thing I haven't tried is getting car down off stands and seeing if I can roll car to free brake. The brakes were working fine prior to trying to remove hub to repack bearings. Arg...

One pushes the handle of the tool down to loosen the adjustment, therefore the star wheel is turning upward if you could see it through the slot. A proper brake adjusting "spoon" gives you better leverage to move reluctant star wheels in comparison with a screwdriver.

Thanks for the help, finally got it to move the right direction with the Brake Spoon and quite a bit of force. Was able to get a screw driver along side to hold spring off star. Hub is now off, brakes look like new, I assume a light grease on shaft to keep hub from freezing/rusting to axle?
Ducky

No, no grease on the taper!