MOTORS MOTORING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2521, 23 July 1915, Page 9

MOTORS MOTORING

[By Clutch.)

Effects of Vibration. One of the most noticeable effects of excessive road vibratieu is the loosening of nuts, anil the breakage of various light parts. Light ears arc more susceptible to tlie vibration caused by rough surfaces than big cars, and it is important to study tlie measures which can be taken to minimise its effects. Tile first step is to reduce the vibration ns much as possible by the use of largo tires and shock-ab'sorbcrs, and by keep- j ing the springs well lubricated, and in ! the highest possible state of efficiency. The chassis will also demand careful.attention. All bolts and nuts should be carefully examined at short intervals, for excessive vibration will cause the nuts, unless they are locked, to slack back. Nuts, however, may be mado secure by the use of lock nuts, spring washers, or split pins. All tlireo methods have their uses. Where a jiut is seldom touched a castellated one and a split pin may bo used. It allows adjustment within certain limits, as tho nut may, when'necessary, be tightened Up--until the next castellation registers with the split pin. When withdrawing the sj)lit pin, the average owner-driver gives it such hard usage that it is unfit for further service. The bent-over ends -should bo carefully straightened out Ivith the minimum of bending, or otherwise the ends will break off. A gentle tap ■■ with a. _ hammer will then usually force the pin so far out that a. pull ivith the fingers is sufficient to remove it completely; but if not, the ' head should not be seized in the jaws of a pair of pliers. Tlie tang of a file should be placed through the eye, and tho pin pulled out. Spring washers are generally used where a nut has to be frequently, undone. Lock nuts in a simple form consist of two ordinary nuts on the same boltj the inner one being tightened up first, and the outer screwed down tightjy 011 it. The inner one should be held in a spanner, to prevent it turning while; tho outer one is screwed down. It is then impossible for tho inner nut to slack back, as the two nuts are immovable together, and to undo them the outer must be removed first. COO Miles at 90 M.P.H. ' Ralph de Palma, ono of the leading drivers of America, won this year's Indianapolis 500 -miles' race iu tho fastest time yet recorded for a long-distance contest anywhere in .the world. This'l event is not only the richest, but is the most popular race held in America; and, it annually attracts a tremendous crowd to the Indianapolis speedway. Fine Weather favoured the event, which saw 22 of the fastest cars in tho ivorld pitted against ono another. The race resulted in a magnificent struggle between do Palma's Mercedes and D. Resta's Peugeot, these great drivers putting up a most strenuous battle. The result was a new record for 500 miles, which was covered in 6hr. 33min. Eosec., equal to an average speed of a fraction under 90 -miles per hour, the exact figures being 89.8 m.p.h. Resta's time was 3min. 32sec. beliiild the winner, and "would have been closer only for tho Peugeot driver - having a bad' skid, resulting in wrenching his steer- 1 ing gear, besides bursting tires, towards tho end of tho race. Motor Drivers Wanted.. The demand for motor drivers in England for service in Franco still continues, and when the last mail left the authorities were calling for 12,000 thoroughly skilled drivers. It is difficult for anyone at this distance from the scene of operations to realise how. so many motor drivers can be utilised, when the firing line is practically stationary, whilst trench warfare ■continues.At present many thousands of motor vehicles are utilised in transport, etc., and whilst tJie wastage of machines must be fairly heavy, the losses of drivers would be comparatively nil, for tliey are out of tho firing zone. This being bo, it looks as though the English authorities are now making preaprations for the time when a rapid continuous movement of the front begins, which would call for a regular army of motor vehicles, and of course drivers. In this connection it is interesting to note that the Australian Motor Transport Service, which left tho Commonwealth many months back for England, lias now left for Franco.

Here and There. Legal lighting up time for motor-cars and motor-cycles To-day, 4.47 p.m. Next Friday, 4.45 p.m. Last year America exported to Australia 3587 ears, valued at £446,694, as compared with 1873, valued at £365,539, in 1913.

Motorists will note with interest that armoured motor cars have been used ivith success at the Dardanelles, thus showing fliat sufficient territory has been conquered in that country to enable oars to ho used oil the roads.

As showing £he treraondous output of American factories, even among the largest and more costly cars ; "The Automobile" of New York emtams a photograph in its issue of April 15 showing the engine testing department of one expensive car concern. This room contains seventy-two engino stands complete with electric dynamometers. Each engine has to develop a certain power for six hours, and after that it goes into the chassis for. a. complete indoor chassis test.