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SPRING GAITERS.

A CORRESPONDENT'S VIEWS. USEFUL ADVICE ON TION. A correspondent, Mr J. R. H. Archer, has forwarded a useful article on springs lubrication, which was the subject of a recent article in "The Press'* motor supplement, "Roadster" welcomes such articles from readers, for there are many local motorists who can, by drawing upon their experiences, give advice and information equally as, if not more, valuable, than that offered by the motor experts who write to the English and American motor journals. Mr Archer writes:—

Frequently I read your articles in "Tho Press." Some I agree with; somo I disagree with. In the issue of Friday, 14tb, touching spring gaiters. Evidently hero you have quoted outsido experience. Judging tho remarks as read, I this only touches the old-fashioned gaiters, which were sealed for lacing without a vent for oil. Consequently, what grcaso.was admitted on tho first binding was subsequently lost by evaporating «f atmospheric heat and weather washing. Lubrication is a peculiar process, and must be understood according to the placo and action of use, and ia really understood by few. Concerning springs and gaiters: Springs aro everlastingly (when in use) _ trying to overcome tho inertia of their own body; and in doing so encounter friction. Exposed to weather, they oxidise; rust, and produce moro friction, which geniuses havo tried to overcome by wrapping in some form, using some sort of lubrication, but, alas! they havo not studied fundamental principles. Gaiters for springs can be in only ono form, and the lubrication used must be a flowing one, and not a forced one, as grease. Greases, as solids, will only flow small distances from their introductory origin, the distance being commensurate with the pressure supplied to introduce them. Internal friction of the body covered is also increased out of proportion to tho value of grease aa a lubricant, and in proportion to the small space intonded for its accommodation. Tho difference in value between a grease and an oil is that grease presents a medium tonsion to the body it covers, which oil does not;.and consequently grease will not flow readily over a surface, and so reduce friction. On tho other hand, oil prcsonta no (or little) tension, and so lubricates. This fact is patently borne out in practice, as while grease is a good clinging body once introduced, it will not flow to reduce friction; hence it has to bo broken down with oil to make it flow for lubrication in differentials and gear-boxes. Practice has shown that solid greases introduced.into enclosed gearsj. in time have a channel cut clean through them; apparently thera is lubrication in bulk, yet the gears are dry.

The above ia to slio-w why springs should bo lubricated with a flowing, viscous body. to be effective should bo of the two-pieec type; i.e., separate pieces foro and aft of both front and back axle. As it is essential that the axle spring clip nuts should be available for inspection, and kept tight, the more so on underslung cars, safety depending on this factor. . In mounting gaiters, on both new and old cars, the springs should be washed in kerosene, and in doing so c'aro" should be used against splashing it on the tyres. This method removes all dirt, and, being searching, it travels right through the leaves of the springs. Next paint a good lubricating oil over the spring, which, on coming into contaet with the kerosene, is broken down into a very fluid body, and under the aid of the kerosene wash, which has been very effective in reducing surface tension, the oil will gradually percolate into the places required to reduce springing and riding tension. The leaf is now bound with a soft felt that has a good wicking capacity (or, in other words, being porous), and has been soaked in oil and bound on with twine or leather lace (the last for preference). Over such the., leather gaiter is placed, and laced together on the underside of the spring. Such gaiters

havo a screwed oil vent with cap in the top side for subsequent oiling. At periods of seven days these caps aro removed, a few drops of oil are inserted, and the eap s screwed back. If such method is used, springs will remain in a -flexible condition; and be in a perfect state of repair, and thoroughly lubricated for all time.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19241121.2.16.1

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18236, 21 November 1924, Page 5

Word count
Tapeke kupu
732

SPRING GAITERS. Press, Volume LX, Issue 18236, 21 November 1924, Page 5

SPRING GAITERS. Press, Volume LX, Issue 18236, 21 November 1924, Page 5

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