56 TL knuckle "O" ring grease seals

[Kip56]

Does anyone have a part number and source for these? What remains of mine are shown attached.

Thanks,
Robert.

[55_Clipper]

depends on which one you are talking about
grommet, compensator control rod 55/56th series Packard P/N #445870
sleeve, compensator control rod 55/56th series Packard P/N #445354

[Kip56]

I believe I described these incorrectly.

These are the rubber grommets that are on the upper and lower pivot pins that connect the steering knuckle support to the upper and lower control arms.

Thanks,
Robert.

[55_Clipper]

Try STEELE RUBBER

http://166.82.96.3/homeframes.html

[Randy Berger]

Bob, Steele doesn't carry these. Mine were not O-rings but sleeves of rubber and I think they were original. I believe early 50's Buicks used the same type of seal. I wound up measuring the diameter of the metal pin and the length of the old seal and cut a heavy rubber garden hose to fit. It only needs to keep the grease in and water/dirt out. It was a B---H (difficult) getting them in but I finally succeeded.

[Kip56]

Randy thanks. I had already checked Steele and Merrit and came up empty. My upper pivot pins have the sleeves you described so I believe those are originals. My lower pivot pins had o-ring looking grommets that were probably replaced along the life of my car. I will endeavor to fabricate replacements as you suggested to keep the grease in and other elements out.

Best Regards,
Robert.

[55_Clipper]

Give Kantner a call..... they have the rebuild kit for the front end. Since I didn't need that, well, I'm not much help...................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------anything above this line influenced by white russians..................

[Kip56]

Yup Kanter was on my list but I agree with Randy's post...since these are primarily rubber sleeve grease covers, I will endeavor to make them.

Thanks for your reply.

Robert.

[Randy Berger]

I got my kits from Kanter and it had O-rings upper and lower. A phone call did no good as they buy their kits from someone else. It has been a good while since I did mine and perhaps I did use O-rings on the bottom, but I know I cut hose for the top and it was a bear getting them in.

[Kip56]

Brian,

Thanks for your post. In cleaning mine up I believe they are sleeves on the top and the o-rings on the bottom. It is amazing that none of the top tier after market folks make these. Surprisingly, these items are really not well documented in the Packard Service manual either. Fortunately as Randy noted, a close fabricated equivalent should do the job. I agree that a heater hose with the proper diameter might be the ticket for the top sleeves.

Best Regards,
Robert.

[Kip56]

Brain,

Thanks for your follow-up post. Your description of cleaning the excess grease "must have scraped pounds pounds off" matches my experience exactly! Getting the steering knuckle to where you could recognize it again was very satisfying.

I have attached an after picture of my pivot pins with the rubber that was on them. Again, I think I will be searching for a close facsimile to fabricate/substitute what was on them.

Thanks again,
Robert.

[Albert]

One car i pulled apart, somone had used red heater hose..., maybe a bike inner tube as well..

[imported_PackardV8]

The seals in your pic look just fine too me. Why do want to replace them???? I'm guessing they are NEOPRENE and NOT rubber but i really don't know for sure and don't have a scrap one to test.

[Kip56]

After cleaning them up I have to admit they do photograph well but they are not as good as they look in the photo. I may be able to save a set between the two sides of the car. My original question was if anyone was reproducing these and it seems like the answer is no. Given that, I will most likely save what I can and fabricate the rest. Once I complete this I will follow-up with a post to let you know how I made out.

Thanks everyone for the contributions to this post.
Robert.