LOOKING FOR TROUBLE

NZ Truth, Issue 1180, 12 July 1928, Page 17

LOOKING FOR TROUBLE

Careless Drivers Who Forget AH About The Oil QNE of the parts of a chassis that require particular care is the brake gear, especially the gear connected with the front brakes, where four-wheel brakes are fitted.

FOR some reason or other, quite a large percentage of owners seem to think that because the amount of travel m the brake bearings is small, they will function correctly without lubricant. This idea is entirely erroneous, and not only that; it is decidedly dangerous from the point : of view of safety. A brake bearing which has dried out is liable to seize at any moment and, . moreover, is liable to .break. ■ Still another serious disadvantage is that with dry bearing points it is almost impossible to equalize the brakes. At least once a month all the brake gear should be gone over carefully, and plenty of lubricant forced through every nipple. ■ ''■■* The nuts and screw sections of the brake rods should also, be kept greased, so that adjustment can be easily made. Any old oil, such as that discarded from the engine, can 'be used to keep such parts as these free from rust. This way of using up old oil will

frequently save hours of work and considerable expense, when repairs or adjustments are undertaken. It is not infrequently found when greasing the chassis that nipples are choked up. 1 These should not be neglected. The nipple should be removed and cleaned out !by means of a needle or piece, of wire. If the foreign matter is hard to remove, it can frequently be loosened by making the nipple red hot and then plunging it In water. As a ruie,. the. dirt can then be shifted. Two or three heatings may sometimes .be necessary. ■ If a bearing has been neglected for some time and has become dried out it is usually advisable to remove and clean the nipple before forcing grease m. When a grease gun is being used it is as well to get an assistant to rock the bearing to and fro. N The lubricant will then be carried well round the beaming.