New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-26

To the Automobile Editor Of The
Tribune.
Sir: In some of the minor and OF
tentimes hidden parts of an automo-
bile are found frequent sources OF
trouble. There are places to be lubri-
Gated, of which many an automobile
owner has no knowledge. They wear
slowly but constantly, and, unless
given proper attention, ere long Will
cause trouble. There is number oil
these lesser bearings which tell the
expert whether the car has had proper
care, In fact, in looking over a USED
car. the man who knows naturally
turns TO these first TO find out how
well the car has been taken care Of.
Ny experience shows that, even
where other parts show normal, or
practically no wear. these lesser bear
ings show absolute neglect, and these
are "the little foxes that spoil the
vineyards" in the automobile world
Practically every owner will fill up
the oiler to insure engine fabrication,
because that is a regular task; most
men will remember TO keep oil in the
transmission case and in the differ
entail housing; probably lesser
number will pu. grease in the wheel
bearings when needed. AS the latter
is not required very often, it IS ire
quently forgotten.
What are the neglected parts? Well,
when | look into the condition OF a
car one of the first places l inspect
for wear is at the steering knuckles.
One must realize that they are under
a pretty heavy load and that, while the
motion is not great, there is a continual
motion there. even when the car is
driving straight ahead. Very few have
learned that il needs q constant supply
OF good, heavy grease 10 prevent wear
at this point. II is worth while TO
screw down on the grease cups at the
steering knuckles every time oil is put
in the engine. When the grease cup IS
screwed down so that it cannot be
turned further it should be filled i'm
nediately. There should be enough
grease there to keep forcing IT out, so
that grit cannot get into the bearing.
Underneath the floor boards there
are number Of parts which need at
tention, but being out OF sight are
often out of mind. They are a little
inconvenient 10 get at also. Under
there we have the universal JOINT. ms
is another joint in which the motion IS
not great, but the load is heavy and
continuous. That is the next place that
shows hard wear, In my experience.
There are one or two modern designs
which have housings covering this
Joint. which may be filled with heavy
oil. and il then takes care of itself Tor
a month. II should be inspected and
the oil replaced once month.
Certain universal joints, not gener-
ally used, however, are supplied with
grease cups. which need attention
every time the car is used, just as
much as the oiler in the engine.
Also underneath the floor boards are
the levers and arms used for con
trolling the clutch and brake, the self
starter and the accelerator. All have
bearings, used occasionally, but
enough so that they should be kept
fabricated. or they will wear. This
is especially true Of the clutch and
brake linkage, particularly In city run
ming. where the clutch and brake are
in constant use. Usually this linkage
has no means of fabrication other
than oil holes, into which a drop or
two Of oil only may be placed. Natu
rally, il will not last long and abso-
lutely oil should be dropped in the
holes every time the car is started
out.
This is also true Of the brake link