El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-12-11

featured the leaves are carfully ground
and polished at the point where they
rub against one another. The spring
steel is of slightly concave section so
that the center of the rubbing surface
will retain, TO a great extent any Tub
ricant which is introduced at the time
the spring is assembled, or from sub
sequent applications However, the
springs on an automobile are being
constantly exposed to mud and dust
which gradually absorbs the oil anu
grease oozing out between the leaves
A certain amount Of mud works INTO
the small spaces between the leaves
and destroys the effectiveness OF the
lubricant When this condition is
reached, friction commences, and the
spring stiffens up because the leaves
cannot slide freely against one an
other. The rubbing action continues 10
strains to which the springs are sub
jected. But the friction is still there
and IL the application Of suitable
lubricant is deferred long enough an
abrasive action will commence with
the result that a rusty mixture viii be
forced out from between the leaves
every time the spring is wetted or the
car subjected to a washing.
SPreaders Easy TO Use.
Numerous well-designed spreaders
are on the market These can be pur-
chased at almost any automobile sup
ply house and some Of them, in which
the grease injection is made through
the center spreading wedge, are very
simple to manipulate AT best now
ever. most owners do not care 10 russ
ferring to take advantage OF the local
repair shops facilities But II is quite
a simple job, and there is really no
excuse why it should not be a matter
OF periodical attention on every auto
mobile.
II a spring leaf spreader is needed
in an emergency and is not obtainaole
locally, raise the weight of the car by
means of a jack under the frame, 50
the springs will be as lax as possible,
which will easily permit of a screw
driver or chisel being driven between
the leaves which will serve the pur-
pose. Such a method, however, is
clumsy: and on account Of the mac
feasibility Of the inner ends Of the
springs, it usually results in the ham
mer blows being misdirected 70 the
detriment of the paint on the gear.
Better Safe Than Sorry.
Many attempts have been made to
design a spring which viii perma-
nently retain a lubricant Some de-
signs approach this desirable condition
to a great degree, and while they do
very well, it does not mean that they
never need attention. The introduce
ton of any form Of retainer between
the spring leaves makes it possible for
an abnormal accumulation Of rust and
sediment to FORM thus causing a cor
respondingly abnormal wear not only
to the retainer, but the leaves as we'll
The only safe method at present
known is frequent fabrication by
means Of a spreader.
A mixture of high grade lubricating
oil and graphite is the best form OF
lubricant Some of the larger graphite
manufacturers are supplying a grade
for this work which is TO be especially
recommended When neither Of the
above are obtainable, good cylinder
lubricating oil may be used and will
last long time
Springs need lubricating on an aver
age of every zoe miles. If used in the
winter, or when the roads are in poor
condition, and the springs are con-
stantly covered with mud, they will
have to be fabricated more frequently.
This is also true of heavy closed cars,
especially limousines. which are
washed more frequently than the aver
age touring car.
Causes of Spring Breakages.
Causes for spring breakages are by
no means limited to neglect of lubri
cation. Perhaps the most frequent
cause is the loosening up of the spring
clips-those U-shaped members which
clip the springs to the saddles on the
axles. It is essential that the spring
clips be tested for tightness at least
once a month, or every 1000 miles. If
owners will follow these suggestions
in regard to fabrication and inspection
of spring clips. they will not only be
far more satisfied with the riding
qualities of their car, but they will en-