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Robert is not known nearly as well out east. I think PI's membership is largely derived from west coasters.

Joe - Thanks for the "Travels with the Duchess" narrative and photos. That part of California is so beautiful. I have a painting of an early morning coastal scene with the Bixsby Creek Bridge hanging on my fireplace mantle.

(o{}o)

I picked up this comment from JW from an earlier post where I needed a new hub, and discovered I have 1801-A ambulance rear axles.

"Joe, JD beat me to the keyboard, but I fully agree with him. The rear wheel bearings should be packed with wheel bearing grease.

There are two oil/grease seals for each rear bearing:
One on the inside of the bearing to keep gear oil from getting on the bearing and keeping the grease from getting into the oil;

and one on the outside of the bearing to keep the grease from leaking onto the brakes and to keep dirt and moisture from getting into the bearing."

I noticed some oil bleeding across my left rear whitewall and figured it was a leaky oil seal. Not much was leaking through the outer seal, considering it's designed to retain grease, but oil was coming through. I pulled the hub and the bearing was covered is a light chocolate oil. I pulled the axle out a bit. The inner oil seal is not sealing.

So now I need to remove the inner and outer seals and I'll need replacements.
The outer one is rusted in place, so I'll let it sit. Hopefully it will have a number.
I'm looking at Part 12.0315 Shaft Bearing Oil Seal
The Packard number for 1801A axle Inner Oil Seal 323151 and Outer Oil Seal is 324961.
Bearing is Timken 3576 and outer seal is National 473473.

QUESTION: Will I have to take the axle to a shop to remove the inner seal 323151 and shaft bearing 324947 ?

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OK, I think I'm starting to get this. This is the culprit (primary one), the Inner Rear Axle Oil Seal.

Looks like I can leave the bearing on the axle (I'll wash in gas, add some engine oil and have someone who knows what their doing examine it.

If that's the case, I just need to get that seal out and get a new one. Can't see any number on the outer edge of it.

QUESTION: What's the procedure for removing it?

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I expect the axles are very similar to later units. There is a procedure in the rear axle section of the 46-50 SMhttps://www.packardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/servicemanual4650/Section2.pdf They mention a seal removal tool and show it positioned in the end of tube but only show the tools outer end. Unfortunately, not the business end. I suspect it is a pair of thin outward facing jaws which can get behind the seal and pull it out. There is also a caution on not sliding the axle across or resting it on the new seal.

EDIT: Guessed correctly. Found a photo of the seal removal tool in the 1940 special service tool booklet and another from the 46 book. Should be easy enough to make something similar that would work.

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The tool you want is a slide hammer, can be fitted with puller parts for removing seals like this. Here's one cheap at Harbor Freight, for instance:

http://t.harborfreight.com/15-piece-slide-hammer-and-puller-set-5469.html?utm_referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F

Thanks, Howard and Hans,
I started this project with only a pair of pliers and a sewing machine screwdriver. Now the tool stores love me. I thought I had everything. Will get that tool today. Looks like it would come in handy elsewhere, as every tool does.
Joe

You can easily make a tool like the J 943 B from a length of round steel rod, perhaps 3/8 diameter. Bend to the approximate shape, bend outward and flatten the ends to form the "ears" and then use a threaded turnbuckle somewhere along the length to make the "spreader". There is also a handy little tool called (I think) a tomahawk which I've used to pry the inner seals out.

Books of the era cautioned against using gasoline to clean the roller bearing, they all suggested using kerosene instead but I use charcoal lighter fluid - cleaner and less odor.

Glad to see you doing the work, repacking rear wheel bearings is one of the most neglected of routine maintenance chores on these cars prior to 1956.

Joe, hope your bearings have not been hurt and can be reused. When you get to the reassembly part you will need to check the axle end play. This only needs to be done on one side. The number for the inner seal is probably on the inside face.

(o{}o)

Thanks, Dave and JDub,

Since I've gone this far, I'll do both sides. Check the bearings, too. I don't think I'll have any problem getting what I need. (If you have any difficulty finding a bearing, send me the manufacturer's name and number and I'll check for you, too.) And yes, read up on the endplay in another thread.