The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-06-30
HOW TO KEEP CAR
IN GOOD SHAPE
CORRECTION or MINOR FAULTS
WILL HELP TO EXTEND TIE
LIFE OF AN AUTOMOBILE,

good deal of care and attention
necessary In. dealing with, n naasor car
is absorbed in correcting the minor
faults which, if allowed to go on with
out attention, are apt to develop into
grave defects. and although there Is
nothing strikiugly technical or COM
pick about such work, 1t Is advisable
from time to time TO refer to such mat
rers in order that that may not es-
cape motive. In view OF this two or
three experiences in this direction may
he given in order to show the class
or work and observation which is
necessary in order to keep the mechan-
ism Of a motor car in first class con-
dition
The first OF the incidents which win
be mentioned occurred in connection
with the bacw axle of moderate sized
car. 1t was noticed during the opera
iron Of greasfug the car, that when the
hack wheels We're lacked up and were
being turned around, a very peculiar
grinding noise was heard In the back
axle. This was due to the small bevel
Of the back propeller or cardan shaft
being too deeply In mesh with the
large bevel. Moreover. Ii was found
that the grease worked out very free
iy between the joints OF the axle cast
ing and it was therefore thought add
visable TO dismanrle the axle and over
haul ii thoroughly in order to put it
right
When the parts had been taken down
1t was found on examination that the
axle had been fitted up with new fibre
washers, ana that these had been fitted
ia a careless manner, as they were
not correct in width. As a matter Of
fact. one OF them should have been
little thicker than the other, and this
had not been attended 10. These wash
ers were between the dlfrerential cast
ir- and the outside casting OF the axle,
and the result of these being fried
wrongly was that the axle was not in
its proper centre, This was, therefore.
the evident explanation of the grind
ing noise in the car which had been
noticed, and by filling these washers q
little at time and then trying on the
outer casting they were gradually Mt
ted in the proper position. When the
axle was put into place again it was
found that the grinding noise had dis
appeared. This was also a good oppor-
tunitY- to cure Lhe-larGa- lealeaGa-
grease. and when the casing was down
brown paper washer was cut to suit
the opening. and this was coated with
Quently when 1t was put into place It
was found that il kept the grease In
the box that had formerly been In the
habit of working out Of the axle
Another point which requires caro-
ful attention II a car is to be run in
Il safe and efficient manner Is to give
periodical observation to the conditions
of the pins on the steering. After the
car has run five thousand or six thou
sand miles, all the bolts and steering
Will be found to have q considerable
amount of wear. In one such instance
II was noticed that these pins on the
Steering and steering arms were slight
ly worn. and this. of course, caused
q good deal of play on the steering
wheel In order to rectify this defect.
the Old pins were taken out and the
holes on being examined were found TO
be 81 Chilly oval, due to the wear. 1t
was therefore found advisable to ream
the holes for the pins In the brass
bushes. and 1t then became necessary