The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-14
The AUTOMOBILISTS
STEERING MECHANISM NEEDS
CONSTANT ATTENTION.
Average Driver Apt to Overlook lis Im-
portance-Negiect Is Liable To Lead TO
serious Results -SuEgestiOn to Inn
pound Cars for Breaking speed Laws.

So simple is the external mechanism of the
steering gear. that il to say. the arms ana
connecting links, that the average driver Is
very apt to overlook its importance in the
system, rs well as the liability OF serious
disaster should IL fail for any reason, says the
Motor World. Strictly speaking, however.
the parts are quite as vital from the point OF
view OF safety alone a. any other elements OF
che machine, and should be given the hest and
most scrupulous attention If the best OF re-
suits are TO be expected. This Is particu-
larly true of the joints which they embrace
and which demand close adjustment and
ample fabrication at all times. The most
prevalent method of connecting the links
with the steering arms is by means Of ball and
socket joints, the tubular ends OF the INKS
being slotted out to receive tn e arms win
their spherical engagements. The tension
81 these joints is very commonly secured by
means of helical springs. which. besides auto
mstically regulating the adjustment, also
serve a purpose in cushioning a portion OF
the shock, to " hich the system il liable.
While this method OF construction IL good
IN some ways. IL should be borne in mind
that 1t is likely to become a source Of great
danger in the event Of its being neglected for
any length Of time. This il to say. II the hall
members of the joint are permitted to become
worn seriously and the adjustment is not
taken up TO meet the requirements 1t is pos
sible that under special stress the worn ball
may be pulled through its socket and the rod
dropped. To guard against this several OF
he foreign makers have adopted various
pXpedients OF design.
In some instances an extension OF the arms
reaching through a second slot on the op-
posite side Of the link and secured by a cross
rin Is used, which is intened to prevent the
link from being dropped in the event Of fail
re In the Joint. Another method includes
the elimination of the ball and socket and
me substitution for 1t Of n simple yoke Joint
With a second and similar one placed at right
angles to it where a distinct universal motion
has to be provided for. 4 third follows a half
way medium. combining the ball and socket
bearing with the principle Of the yoke and
nin. Praiseworthy though these efforts at
security may be. however. they must neces-
sarily fail Of their purpose II the mechanism
Is neglected for any length OF time. The
Joints must be kept in adjustment In order TO
reduce the lost motion Of the system as far
as possible. yet they must not be kept too
tight lest the friction become too great for
fne steering: for the same general reason
hey must be kept clean and thoroughly
fabricated, and lastly they must be inspected
A. frequent intervals TO see that they are in
proper order. have developed no flaws and
that they are doing their work In the best
possible fashion. The very simplicity OF the
mechanism constitutes an invitation TO neg
s'''s pub SIC AtV oA""S" w oaN "
sooner or later and invariably in the perfectly
good coin Of the realm.
Last winter an Alderman Of the automobile
making metropolis. Detroit. suggested that
whenever a motorist was convicted OF ex-
ceedins the local speed limit his automo-
bile should be taken away from him for a
certain number OF days. Recently the Ohio
State Journal. commenting on the ineffective
ness Of anes to prevent the reckless speed
Of cnsureurs and owners OF cars. suggested
much the same plan as was advocated by the
consderins the personal issue this paper
suggests that the automobile itself be arrested
snd tried fol. plum ging through the streets.
the pound or garage for twenty or thirty
dave. At the expiration Of which time the
US keep. A penalty OF this nature would be
sfnca cious. fhe indi entity. the loss Of liberty
and activity, would be a sore trial 70 the poor
]-iolatlnS the law or flying In the face Of public
sentiment. There would be no personal
:hey could 20 on about their business Without
i@elns that they, had transgessed, for the
sI,o alone would be treated as the guilty
- mho1 In its conscience as has been sug-
zee II might be a most valuable prac,
% soce ei'2 70 d Dc rive h ,fwS Of sSs use s't of h bfse csr
nr twenty or thirty days.
Whatever may be the cost Of repairing
NAhIl surface tear re- or cuts in the tread Of an
i,,t"r We easing il Is well repaid by the added
ne gained by The tire in that way. 4 Jagged
NlIlt'e soon wears and rips away from the
;'hlss base, and a tire which Is neglected
y a. good al ruined.
The refusal of the authorities to allow
T'D'oLIs's TO use all the roads In Golden
,ie Park in san Francisco has aroused the,
hn,"nom!e Club Of California and the local
"''n"hle Dealers Association to ehorR