37 stopping violently

[Olivierdejong]

Hello. I just saw a super 8 37 that I consider to buy.
Yet one question about the brakes.
They are very powerful but almost too much. At 10mph a slight touch on the brakes pedal sends me right away into the windscreen. What could it be?
Tx in advance. Olivier

[Dave Czirr]

Often the result of brake fluid on the lining from leaking wheel cylinders.

[Olivierdejong]

Tx...

[Olivierdejong]

Hello.

Now the brakes have been done professionally for 3 years but I guess the front left seems to leak.
I would like to open the drum but I don’t see how.
My mechanic tells me no extractor is required upfront... but he lives 75 miles away so... I must find out.
First time I do brakes on a Packard.
Any suggestion?
And what is this thing which I put in evidence in white?

Best regards.
Olivier

[Dave Czirr]

That's just a pin to facilitate mounting a wheel, it aligns the bolt holes in the drum with the corresponding ones in the drum. Has nothing to do with the brakes.

To remove the drum carefully pry off the stamped steel hub cover, below it you'll find a cotter pin and the associated hardware retaining the drum and outer bearing. Good illustrations in the parts lists.

[Olivierdejong]

What do you mean with the parts list?

[Dave Czirr]

I meant that the various Packard Parts List manuals they issued over the years are often sources of good illustrations of parts and assemblies.