NEGLECTED COMPONENT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 338, 27 September 1932, Page 2

NEGLECTED COMPONENT

Probably the wheels are the most neglected component of a car, yet wheel collapse, which fortunately is rai'e, is one of the most dangerous mechanical failures. Wooden wheels are most likely to deteriorate, and give most trouble in summer, when heat causes the wood to dry and shrink, the spokes then becoming shaky in the hub. Water will affect a temporary cure, but when it dries out matters will be worse than ever. Linseed oil is better, followc-d by painting. Tha paint is important on wooden wheels, as it excludes water

and helps to retain the natural_ oib. of the wood. If there is any sign of shakiness in a wood wheel, it is always safest to taka it to a wheel specialist for repairs or truing. A wheel out of truth may upset steering, cause vibration: and wear tyres badly. This trouble does not always originate with the wheel, but may be caused by incorrect filting of the detacliable rim. To fit a rim correctly, tighten one of the nuts only partly, then rcpeat the operation on the one opposh e it, working in this way round ihe wheel until all the nuts are 'evenly tightenad. In fitting a detachable wheel of the stud type, tighten the nuts in the same way as recommendad for a detachable rim. Always oil fehe threads and be sure the nuts are really tight, not so much that there is a risk of the wheel coming off as to prevent the studs wearing the holes in the hub oval, an annoying defect. Detachable wheels on the more expensive cars are usually of the singlenut type, provided with some kind of locking device or with threads in oppnsite directions. See the locking device operates propertly, tighten the nut securely wtih a hammer, and keep the contact faces of the fixed and detachable hubs clean and well lubricated.