I was given a 1945 Chevy 1/2 ton rolling chassis and the wheels did not want to turn easy.

So I took off the front drums first and backed off the brake adjustment then quickly cleaned the bearings and repacked them.

Then I took off the rear drums and backed off those brakes. While doing that I noticed that on the rear axle flange that the brake drum rests against there was a paper gasket that fit over the wheel studs.

Was that gasket factory?

Is gasket needed?

Why would there be a gasket used there?

Thanks Jeffrey