New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-25

Az may Uc Idheu lOI ETHUIcu Cudt
every car which costs less than 1000
more or less, has a squeak or a groan
or rattle, which offends the ears OF
driver, passenger and pedestrian al
we'll. 1t may be tiny squeak where
two unlubricated surfaces rub together
from the vibration Of the car, or 1t
may be the rattle bang of loose
brake linkage, or some other loose
part, but it goes to make up the
ha1leujah chorus Of every busy high
way. In the higher priced cars money
has been spent to eliminate the causes
of most Of the noise, though occa-
sionally one Of the luxury cars will
develop a squeak of prodigious pro-
portions.
Not all the noises of the cheaper
cars can be eradicated. Some times
am inclined to think that every car
has Its distinctive squeak or grunt,
which Is as much a part Of 1t as tho
radiator, and no less easily dispensed
with. Perhaps that might be the
surest way Of Identifying stolen car
which has had number and paint and
other things so changed that the eye
cannot be sure; that distinctive noise
would remain and the driver would
know Ibis masters voice."
But although there may be some
such noises which are indigenous, tho
great majority of the hubbub Of the
automobile can be prevented and over
come by Intelligent action. Riding in
taxicab few days ago, an annoying
squeak Jared the nerves. I found that
the vibration of the car and loose
hinges made the door shake. The
catch rubbed against the stop and the
squeak was the result. A drop or two
of oil will end such a noise for q
time.
This same vibration might cause body
and dash to rub and squeak if not bolt
ed tight, or if no felt strip be interposed
to prevent noise Nearly all the lighter
cars vibrate excessively, partly because
the frame is 80 light that it is not per-
heavier cars, at least in theory, and it
bends and gives with the unevenness of
the highway and jolting over the car
tracks and other bumps. Where such
is the case it is almost impossible to
prevent all sorts Of noises from devel-
oping.
If the body Is not bolted tight to the
frame it will rub and squeak or rattle.
1t used to be considered good form to
put in felt strip to overcome this; q
strip Of cotton tape is used in most cases
to-day. But be sure to keep the nuts
on the fastening bolts tight, with lock
washers to keep them from slipping.
/ came across n new one recently. It
was hum which was only noticeable
when the car was idling, other noises
drowning the sound when the car was
running. 1t was elusive, and we looked
all over for it to no avail, until one of
the party rested his hand upon the mud
guard ard felt vibration, while the
noise stopped. 1t was one Of the fiat
type guards and it was found to be
buckling just enough from vibration to
make noise--on the principle Of the
auto horn. 1t was bad design and few
are put out these days. To correct such
a noise it Is necessary to put in stay
or to alter (belD the shape Of the guard
Another elusive squeak was found to
come from the specdometer shaft. Lub-
rication had been neglected, and where
connection is made to the head on the
dash there was enough friction to make
a noise. Loosening the nut which holds
the parts together eased it until it was
possible to put in grease at the garage.
This is reminder Of the necessity Of
thoroughness in fabrication.
Another click, or knock, which is hard
worn keyway, where the rear hub ia
fastened to the shaft. 1t gives a dis
tinctive sound when starting up in either
direction. One case which came to the
school was on this order. The hub was
fastened to the shaft. 1t gives dis
Fittings supposed to give a tight fit;
they had worn enough to make a slight
play. 1t could not be detected by the
eye, but the finger tip did find it. 1t
happened that the service station for
that make car had been hunting the
same sort of click without success for
some time, until the owner told the
agent Of his find.
The torque rod gives forth strange
sounds when 1t becomes loose at the
forward end or if the torque tube
bearings are worn; and occasionally
the bolts fastening the torque rods to |
the rear axle wear and give a knock. |
going over bumps. Worn clevses and |
pins on the brake linkage cause rat
thing which often may be overcome by
putting in new parts at cost of q |
few cents. Where it cannot be done
it Is common practice to use spiral
springs, wired to linkago and frame |
to hold the parts taut.
Worn spring shackle bolts give forth
noise when going over bumps or holes
from rebound Of the body and worn
steering knuckle pins, and tie rod |
bolts DO the same thing on the front
end. Often a mysterious noise NAV
be traced to the tool box, where things
are thrown in carelessly. The license
plate bracket has tendency to work
loose so that it vibrates--the cop can
hear as we'll as see the plate.
Worn gears in either change speed
gear case or diffcrential case may make
q hum, or grind or knock, and broken
pieces from the teeth add to the dis
turbance. Mud guards work loose and
rattle, catches which fasten the hood
become loose and noise results. the
crank handle may vibrate, or the ton
fastenings rattle, and there may be a
squeak or groan where top and wind
shield meet.
Tbs does not exhaust the list of
noises, but is sufficient to indicate to
tho novice what to do when there Is
a noise which annoys. Neither does II
refer to the knocks and other noises
proceeding from the engine, which will
form the subject of tho next article.
For most of the noise there is rem
cdy; but, as | said before, l am almost
persuaded that on the light cars it is
necessary to endure ut least one squeak
or rattle or hum.
New Ideas Being Shown
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