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

Has anyone had any experienece with the modern lip seal type of front wheel seals in place of the old rawhide originals? I'm replacing the National seals part # 5975 with SKF # 17145. The number crossed directly over but its a rubber lip seal with an ID thats .025 less than the spindle and .100 thicker than the old one. The lip has enough stretch to fit, just looking for opinions or tips-
Thanks

My own experience is that rawhide seals, oiled well before installation, last at least as long, perhaps longer than the alternatives as long as they've had reasonable storage.

Owen-I agree, the also don't wear a groove into the spindle like a lip seal can, but I don't know where to find them.
Mike

I'm really out of date on this, are you saying that Chicago Rawhide (C/R) is no longer is business?

C/R and SKF are one and the same. The seals are still in a green box but they say SKF on them . Bearings are all branded SKF now. Not sure when the change actually took place. I've sold C/R for a long time and the packaging was a running change, but I can't say for sure when it started.

I bought brand new leather wheel seals for my '56 Pat from Oreilly's when I redid the brakes, and never had a problem with them. I agree with Owen, make sure they're well lubricated before installing and you'll never have any trouble with them.

Eric -

If that number for a leather front wheel grease seal for the Seniors is not already in the Parts X-ref, could you please add it?

I would if I still had the number, that was almost 3 years ago! For what it's worth, I just took the old seal in and they crossed the number on the seal to a National number.