The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-11-06
PROBLEMS SOLVED
BY AUTO EXPERT

e. H. Cooley. vice president and
director of education of the Ameri-
can Motor Schools, will gladly an
swer questions for perplexed motor
lists.
Q. There is a peculiar periodical
squeak at the left rear wheel of my
car. Someone told me that 1t was
rim squeak and the remedy was
to tighten the Tugs on the studs.
find that they are all tight. What is
the trouble?
A. A broken roller in the bearing
sometimes produces a noise of that
character. Your trouble Is more
likely due to the fact that although
the Tugs are tight on the studs they
do not hold the rim tightly. Place
shims (bits of sheet iron about lis
inch thick) underneath the Tugs,
then tighten nuts.
Q. About a week ago my battery
was run down and I took 1t to a
battery station for recifa rging.
There I was told that the reason
why the battery was discharged was
because the generator was not
charging 1t and that the little clock
like affair on the dash always indi-
Gates whether or not the battery is
receiving a charge. Please tell me
something about this instrument.
A. The clock like affair is an am
meter which measures current. The
pointer should show charge when
ever the engine is running at a
speed equal to a car speed of seven
to ten miles per hour. This little
instrument is an extremely valuable
pilot and would suggest that you
get in touch with some electrical
service station and have it's func-
lions explained; obeying its indica-
tons may save you the price Of q
new battery or generator.
Q. Someone told me that . Ford
magnetic can be rechsrged without
removing the magnets: that II can
be done In ten or fifteen minutes
without dismantling anything. Is 1t
true. and where can I have It done
A. Yes, It can be done as you have
been told. Almost any electrical
service station 10 equipped to do 1t.
Q. While driving into my garage
the top Of my car caught in a pro-
truding nail and tore q rent about
three inches long and two inches
wide in II. Is there an inexpensive
method Of repairing It and still have
it retain its weatherproof qualities.
A. Adhesive tape, which can be
purchased at any drug store. of suf-
ficient size makes an effective re-
pair Clean the surface we'll and lay
the torn edges of the top together
carefully until the tape adheres we'll.
Then shellac and paint the top side.
II done carefully q very satisfactory
repair can be made.
Q. While driving behind another
car I noticed one of the rear wheels
webbing perceptibly. wondered
whether, this condition would cause
any damage to wheel or tire and the
reason for the trouble.
A. The condition should be rem
edied quickly as It certainly does
effect the life Of the tire. The cause
may be q distorted axle, broken
bearing or wheel out of true or tire
not placed on wheel evenly. In re-
placing tire be sure that the rim is
the same distance from wheel at all
points of its circumference.
@. How do you adjust a Dodge
1920 horn? My horn responds weak
~ when press the horn button.
A. In the rear Of the horn there
is q hexagon shaped lock nut. Losen
this and screw the adjusting screw
in! or out until the desired note is
secured. Be sure to securely fasten
the lock nut after the adjustment is
made. II this does not satisfactorily
remedy; remove the cover, and ex-
anime the two brushes and corimu-
tator Of the motor. A very thing
film Of vaseline should be applied
to the commutator about once a
month
@. In making . left-hand turn at
Q street intersection where there is
q trafic officer on duty, Is 1t neces-
sary to receive more than one come
ahead" signal7
A. Yes. The first signal permits
you, to go forward in the direction
sIgnaled; you then approach the
trafac officer Indicating your desire
to make q left hand turn and wait
for his signal to proceed.
Q. What is the idea of changing
the tires from front to rear, also
from right to left wheels? e
A. Due to traction and sliding the
tires on rear wheels wear more rap
idly than front ones. The right
wheels wear differently due to
crowned or oval surface OF the road.
Side wear due to scraping the curb
also occurs only on right tires. OBJ
viously an intelligent exchange of
tires will equalize the wear. .
Q. What would cause a motor to
miss at high speeds only
A. This trouble is usually occa-
stoned by dirty or improperly ad-
justed breaker points. They should
be clean and meet evenly. In any
case of ignition trouble n Is well to
always be sure that spark plugs are
clean and properly adjusted.