The New York herald., 1921-08-07

to be incorrect 1t may be altered by
manipulating the tie rod This latter Is
the rod which runs from one steering
l1nuclSle to the other, and which has a
movable portion at either end. Hard
steering is often caused by misaHgnment
Of the front wheels through an error in
the toe-in or gather and O. correction OF
this fault viii bring a marked improve
ment in the guidance of the vehicle.
In addition to the toe-in and tilt given
u the wheels, many manufacturers Of
motor vehicles tilt the front axle or the
ends of the axle. known as the knuckles
This not only makes for easier steering
but also puts the greatest part Of the
load on the strongest part of the axle.
l. IS frequently possible In a sar, the
steering system of which is deficient In
that respect, to Improve the steering to
q marked degree by fitting the l5nuckles
backward. This may be accomplished
in a rough and ready fashion by setting
the front springs on specially made
wooden or metal tapered seats, instead
OF the seats that are made integrally
with the front axle. This fitting back
ward of the knucldes not only makes
for easier steering but 1t will be notice
able that after a turn has been made the
wheels will return to the straight posi-
tion almost of their own accord.
Though the ordinary owner does not
realize It, practically every part of the
steering system is in motion whenever
the car is running. Even roads that
appear 10 be as smooth as a billiard
table In reality are full of more or less
accumulated inequalities which impart a
founce to the car. Every such jolt
causes movement and consequent wear
in the flexible parts OF tho steering sys-
TEN. For this reason all steering sys-
tens are provided with some method
OF taking up slack that inevitably de-
yelops through use. or course, this wear
means afyasion, which IS aggravated
unless the various 1oints are kept prop
erly fabricated
In most steering systems the slack
which develops may be taken up In TWO
or three different. places. The car owner
should find out to begin with where inc
wear IS greatest, whether In the gears
~ the bottom OF the post, in the ball
Joints or in other parts A good begin
ming may be made by gripping the tie
rod and moving 1t back and forth.
thereby detecting play IN thus part u
1t exists. Perform the same operation
with the drag link or rod connecting
the steering arm with the front axle.
means OF a nut which Is located in back
OF the spring TO do this remove the
cotter pin, turn down the nut, insert the
pin again and the Job Is done. IL the
play Is in the gears there Is usually
provided an adjustment placed just
above the case in which the gears are
housed. AS a general thing 1t takes the
form OF q serrated nut, which Is held
in place by a slotted pin. The pin must
be removed with a screwdriver. the nut
being turned slightly, after which the
pin Is replaced. Each time the nut Is
turned It Is we'll TO try tho steering to
SEQ that the adjustment Is having tho
desired effest.
Steering knuclxles are held In place
by a pin, on which the knuclkle turns
II fabrication OF this pin Is neglected
excessive wear will result. There are
a number Of different types OF steering
knuckles In common use. All OF these
have bearings and most OF them employ
besring bushings, though q minority
use ball bearings, Replacement OF these
bearings is frequently necessary when
excess play develops In this part 1t is
not too much to say that daily lubrica-
tion is essential to tho continued life
or the bearing.
From all this It will be seen that the
care needed by the steering system IL
not onerous. II 1t Is regularly carried |
out Il becomes matter OF minor de- |
tall and the returns for the care are
an case and nexibillty In the steering
function OF the car that cannot be ex-
aggerated Moreover. easy steering Is
that the car owner has reason |
10 value for the benefits are felt by him /
svery minute Of the time that the car
IS in motion.