Classic/Antique Car Repair: pinion and axle seals, Rear axle seal replacement

Question
can you help me find information on replacing my rear pinion and axle seals in my 1941 Packard 160.

Answer
There is nothing unusual about doing this job on a Packard. If you have done other cars, this one will be very familiar to you.  You do have to have a very sturdy hub puller to get the rear drums off to do the axle seals - a cheap one will break before the drums come loose.   Other than that problem, it is just a matter of undoing bolts and taking parts off until you get to the grease seals.  Kanter Brothers and Max Merritt stock the seals.  The pinion seal replacement process is the same as all other cars - just buy the new seal, and take the companion flange off, then remove the old seal and install the new one.  Inspect the wearing surface where the seal rides on the companion flange- if there is a groove worn in the mating surface, buy a repair sleeve and install that too, so that the new seal has a nice smooth surface to seal to.  You need a high torque capable torque wrench to tighten the flange nut to spec - and very strong arms!

If you don't have a shop manual for the car, I strongly advise you to get one - it will pay for itself many times over.  I do not know if a 41 shop manual will be easy to find, but the axle ( and about 95% of the other mechanical parts of the car) are identical up to 1950, and the 46-50 manual is available from any of the automotive literature dealers.  I use Ed Faxon at www.faxonautolit.com but Kanter Brothers and other Packard parts dealers will have it also. If you contact Stuart Blond at Kanter Brothers, he will take good care of you.

You've got one of the best Classic cars ever built - and most pleasant to drive - congratulations!

Dick