Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-25
s|MPL|F|ED LESSONS IN
PROPER CARE or AUTOS
investigation of Car Noises Consiti.
cred From Possibilities Found
in Each Unit.
EACH HAS DIFFERENT SOUND
limes-Dispatch Expert Finds Clutch,
Diferential and Universal Pins
knock-Transmlssi and Differ
entail Gears Hum or GroWI.
tCopyrighted. 1917. by Frederick c.
Guerrich.]
LESSON NO. 90.


LESSON NO. 90.
Car Noises.
In studying the places of the car
from which noises can come let US take
up the units of it, one by ono, and see
how. and why noises can develop In
them.
we have already seen how noises
can develop IN the engine. so that the
first unit we will have to consider q
the clutch. While play between the
grooves in the discs Of disc clutch and
their key pieces will cause knoci;ing
which will seem to como from the en-
CINE clutch, noises are almost always
due TO the throw-out collar and bear
inBs. This will be "A grinding noise. ];
Is hard TO keep grease or oil on .nis
bearing. but AS there is no load on til.
bearing. unless the driver rests his foot
on the clutch pedal 30 AS TO put some
pressure on II. there Is little chance
Tor wear. Many drivers, however. rest
fheir foot on the pedal constantly, as
described above and 80 cause wear
which soon will develop into a grind :
ms noise. II the grinding sound stops
when the clutch Is diseneaged. then
you can be reasonably sure that the
clutch throw-out bearing is 10 blame.
Next after the clutch comes the
transmission or gear set. Even on
now cars there will usually be hum
or Growl Of the gears when in reverse.
low or second. This is due TO she set
Ting or cutting OF the gears. and can
not be cured and does no harm. II the
noises develop with the using of the
car. then II may be due TO lack of lubri-
eaton eaton 10 worn bearings and on an
older car. to worn gears. Replacing or
repairing the bearings Is the only rem
coy. II there is a scratching sound
while in high. then the bearings ere
broken or cut up. and need quick re.
placing.
After the transmission comes III.
universal joint. a squeak from these
In sign of lack Of grease, while a
knock. which comes when starting or
acceierating the car. when going over
rough roads, or when the engine IL
missinR. is sign that the pins or bush
Inc arc worn. or bushing broken 1t
Snould be investigated. Universal Joints
are much neglected as regards grease
y knock very much like that OF the
universal joint. hut coming just under
the left front seat, viii be due to year
IN the bumper of the torquc arm and
Ns supporting pin. or TO the bumper
spring being broken.
The differential assembly - the n..t
unit from which noises come IL will
gro"l or hum IL the pinion and gear
are not properly set II they arc worn.
~ the bearings are worn. or IL there
IS lack OF fabrication. When the hum
develops with the age OF tho car II
need no. be worried about but II. there
lis growl after work has heen done
on the dinerential. or It's parts. or in n
new car. then tn" setting Of Tie gear
and plnion should be checked W..
II the growl Is scratchy, then the
bearings. most likely the forward uin-
Ion hearing. are broken. the balls or
raceways are crushed. or some: hin.
pas gotten into them. The bearings
/ OF the rear wheels may be at fault.
as the sound Will travel along the axle
bhaft and seem to come from tho diff
fcrcntlal Replacing is about the only
remedy.
II tooth Is broken out Of the diff
ferentisl gear. there Will he knock
Ing. which, win come with every revo-
luton OF the wheels.
From the dincreniial we come 10
the rear wheels. on which are the
brakes. dragging brake. or a brake
which Is loose so that the bnnd rubs
against the side OF The drum will
cause bell-like scratchy noise. Many
thines may cause this and only a study
Q. .ne or"ke VIII snow the cause and
remedy. II the wheel does not run
true the drum may rest against the
housing, causing similar noise
a loose wheel. bent axle or hous-
ing VIII cause an irregular rubbing
sound. and, OF course. such a sound,
ana: IN fact. all rubbing sounds. should
he investigated. The noise may indi-
cate dangerous condition. or one
which need not be worried about
Next come the springs. Lack of
fabrication OF the spring shackle bolts,
or of the leaves, will result in a squeak
on rough roads. The cure is obvious.
squeak Will also come from 4 loose
body. or fender bolt, or loose lug bolt.
OF the demountable rims. The top IS
also often the cause Of a squeak
The driving gears OF the speedome-
Eerir, especially when they are placed
often cause an annoying scratchIns
sou, d. An investigation Will often
show that small piece of gravel has
lodged in the teeth Of one of the gears.
tho removal OF which will eliminate
tile noise.
or course. there are innumerable
other place.. such a loose hood
windshield. brake support. top bracket
.tc.. from which squeaking or rattIins
sounds can come.
Tnbulatins the above noises. and re-
1terring to the illustration. we find
that a
:an como from the clutch discs fA).
universal pins Or bushings OBJ. to
.orque arm bumper Co. broken differ
initial gear (D).
HUMMING OR GROWING
from transmission gears (E), differ
entail gears CD.
SCRATCHING OR GRINDING
- t,m clutch throw-out bearing CF),
transmission bearings Co. diHerentiaI
bearings I'D, rear wheel bearings Cd,
brakes Cd. speedometer gears (K).
SQUEAK
from universal joint (B), spring U.).
spring bolts tM). loose body bolts
loose fender bolts tN). loose demount-
able rim bolts (QI top.
RATTL1NG AND SQUEAEINC;
arc most always due to loose bolts and
auts. IT will therefore. more than
ray owners TO go over all the bolts
md MS If their car at least once a
month. ANY will be found loose. and
~ tightening them not only will
,Queaks and rattles be eliminated, but
n lhe possibility of parts breaking will
: D. greatly reduced.
q. course, I need not mention the
ucct OF a generous use Of the grease
Guns and oil can. but reminding old
Irivers that they are the ones who
ire liable to be negligent in this re-
.:.rct may do some good.