The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-06-21
AMONG THE AUTOMOBILES.
AN INSTANCE or NEED OIHATCH-
ING STEERING GRAN.
II. s. Iioupt OF New York Enters a Car for
American Team In Vanderbilt Cup Race
element OF France Wants Another
Try for the TrOphy.-NOtes and Gossip.

7 W III wynn w
"one Of the many instances that show the
necessity OF keeping traC ok of the condition
of the steering gear at all times is TO be found
In a peculiar accident which might nave
! resulted disastrouslyh had not fortune dccreed
otherwise" says the Motor Worid. THE
car was being driven along a country road
at a comparatively slow pace, which was
reduced still further In order to permit of
turning out to avoid n rough, stony stretch.
After having proceeded for some distance
on the grass at the side of the road the driver
swung the wheel around to the left. intend
ing to regain the centre OF the road, but this
had no eff ect whatever on the cars direction,
which swerved to the right more and more
until 1t brought up a gainst a tree and ended
by ca psizing, through no one was hurt.
THE cause Of the accident was apparent
al n glance. for it revealed that the rod con-
Meeting the steering pillar to the cross rod
linking the steering kruckles of the wheels
was gone altogether. But just what had
caused II to drop of was not so plain. IT was
picked up about thirty feet back. where the
car had first failed to respond to the wheel.
Examination showed that a stripped thread
was responsible for tho trouble. The brass
cap forming the connection at the point re-
ferred to had come of, allowin the rod to
drop. The forward motion Of the car caused
II to dig into the ground and snap of at the
ball Joint close to the worm gear. Threads
do not strip on in a fcw hours running such
trouble Ia OF gradual growth. and only an
utter lack of inspection or carelessness in
repla cling a cap or a nut that was worn would
bring 1t about. But 1t takes more than n good
look at the various parts Of the gear or feeling
them with the hand to discover such defects.
Trying them with a wrench is the only certain
method.
From the Office Of Chairman Jefferson
De Mont Thompson Of the American Auto
| mobile Associations racing board IL was
announced yesterday that Harry 8. Houpt
OF New York city had entered n car for the
American team in the Wander bilt cup race
His entry was for a l2O horsepower fhoma,
and a check forithe entry fee OF p 900 accom-
American elimination trials on September 2,
by Montague Roberts. 1t is expected that
two other Thomas racers Will also be- entered
| for the elimination trials. Mr.. Houpt entered
q 90 horsepower Thomas for the American
team In the 1905 Vanderbilt race, with which
| Roberts finished fifth II in the elimination trials
on September % over the Nassau county
circuit on Long island. Before the contest
for the Vanderbilt cup was run on October "a,
removed from its place on the American
team by the A. A. 4. racing board. as were
the Royal and Haynes cars, which had
| finished third and fourth in the field OF ten
places to cars which had not completed the
trial distance of 1892 miles. or four circuits
| OF the 2S.3 mile course.
! There was so much criticism OF tie racing
boards action that a rule WIS made for this
| years contest. which stipulated that the
hrst FIVE cars to complete the elimination
| trial distance would be finally and positively
namcd as the members OF the American team