The Washington times., 1913-05-24
LIKELY CAUSES OF
PUzzL|NG SQUEAKS
Automobile Expert Tells What
Is Responsible for the Mys-
teriouS Noises.

Many ears squeak annoyinsly or
rough roads. whereupon their ownsers
are puzzled. as they know that all the
spring pins are properly fabricated.
What they do not seem to recognize is
that the majority of cars have springs
which from time to time require lubri-
cation between the plates or leaves OF
which they are composed.
If you have a car which squeaks mys-
teriously. first of ali satisfy yourself
that it is not what. for want of a
better term. MAJ be called a mechanical
squeak. That is, assure yourself ii is
not caused by an unlubricated universal
joint or want of oil at the clutch collar.
In fact make sure that II is no part
which is constantly revolving. as
sQueaks from an unlubricated shaft OF
any kind are serious.
Having satisfied yourself that all
the running parts are properly lubri-
Gated, turn attention to the springs
and brake rods" saws Rufus Porter
field, an authority on the subject. 'Oil
all the pins and bearings and IL they are
provided with grease lubricators. take
off each lubricator. see that 1t is filled
with soft grease and before screwing
it home again. push wire into the
hole in the spring pin and inject a drop
or two Of thin oil; LAYING LAYING done done t. this Is
almost impossible 20 study spring
squeaks on the road.
How To Make Sure.
THE way TO make sure of them is to
take hold of the dumb irons, one with
each hand, and lift the car up on its
springs. This may sound a herculeaen
feat, but no great effort is required, as
If one pushes and pulls In sympathy
with the compression and rebound Of
the springs, after two or three efforts
the car begins to rise and fall three or
four inches on its springs. II the springs
are dry. the result will probably be a
most distressing chorus OF squeaks, and
nothing can be done to stop them while
the weight is on the springs. The thing
to do is to take a couple OF jacks and
put them under the frame. SO that the
weight is lifted off the springs.
ITO do this. 1t is usually necessary to
use a stout piece of wood an inch or
two wider than the frame and about
three inches square, as the Jacks have
to be placed inside the frame to miss
the springs. The jacks will not be long
enough to reach up to the wood. so II
will be necessary to pack them up with
some bricks or convenient pieces or
wood.
Having carefully lacked up the car.
come apart slightly. They should be
forced apart somewhat more than they
come naturally by means of stout
screwdriver. and a copious dose Of oil
poured in between each of the leaves.
Then a little grease should be pushed
between each leaf by means of an old
table knife. or. better still. one of the
flexible pallet knives which painters use.
and which can be bought at any oil and
color shop or ironmonger's. The blade
of the knife should be thickly creased
and worked up and down between the
leaves of the spring.
When this has been thoroughly done
the Jacks can be let down and the
weight taken again by the springs. and
the trouble of squeaking will be stopped
probably for some months. The opera
ton must be carried out both at the
front and back of the car.
Some people advocate the use OF
greas. only for lubricating the springs
when the weight has been taken on
them. but believe in the plentiful use
of oil first. as that will penetrate down
between the leaves where even the thin
nest pallet knife cannot be pushed. or
II IT il can the space between the leaves
Is So small that the grease is forced off
the blade