WHEELS AND TYRES

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 598, 1 August 1933, Page 3

WHEELS AND TYRES

EASY METHODS OF USING THE JACK AND WHEEL BRACE. REPAIRING PUNCTURES. In descrfbing the routine of general chassis lubrication, the hub bearings require greas'ing oecasionally in order to preserve their polished steel surfaces from the attacks of rust. The wheels themselves, which, in the majority of cars sold to-day, are of the bolt-on type. A new motorist's close acquaintanceship with the wheels usually dates from the time of the first puncture, but as modern tyre's are very reliable a car may run for thousands of miles before any trouble is experienced. On the other hand (writes The Motor), a sharp flint, a nail, or a piece of glass may find its way through the cover and tube on the first day's run. Consequently, it is as well to be prepared for such an eventuality. Some Practical Points. In changing a wheel, as in most other simple mechanical tasks, there are various small points worth remembering which grea.tly reduce the time and trouble expended on the operation. First — and this is important — the owner-driver should make a habit of inflating the spare tyre whenever he is attending to the tyres on which the car is running. It is very little trouble to check five pressures in place of four, and as a result of this preeaution the "spare" is alwa.ys ready for use should a puncture occur. Secondly, when a new car is put into service it is as. well to unearth the jack and the wheel brace, in order to make sure that these tools are available and that they iaxe in working order. Sometimes a careless storekeeper issues a jack of the wrong size, and it is unfortunate if the car owner does not discover this until such time as he is delayed by tyre trouble in a lonely spot on a dark and stormy night. When trying the jack, remember that it must be short enough to fit between the axle and the road when the tyre is flat. One can also take the op_ portunity of examining the front and rear axles in order to find ths best places under which to place the jack without risk of slipping. In the case of a car with an extended tail, the back axle of which is difficult to reach, the possibility of acquiring permanently fitted jacks should not be overlook ed. Most punc'tures are of the slow variety, the air escaping -gradually, and are indieated by a drag felt at the steering wheel. When this unmistakable sign occurs, it is a good plan to stop the car as soon as possible at a convenient spot, instead of waiting for the tyre to become altogether flat. - Having come to a standstill and selected the necessary tools, the nuts securing the wheel to the hub can be loosened loasened before the jack is used; the weight of the car will then hold the wheel from turning while the brace is applied. Next, make sure that the hand brake is on, so that there is no risk of the car rolling off the pack; the wheels can he chocked with stones if there is any doubt on this point. For example, if a trans^ mission brake is fitted and one of the rear wheels has to be changed, this brake wfii eease to hold the car when the wheel is jacked up, owing to the action of the differential. In such circumstances it is essential to chock the front wheels. The jack can now be placed in position, making sure that it presses upwards against a really substantial part of th'e axle or spring anchorage and one affording a reasonable grip. If the work iS" being done on the grass or on a soft road, it may be necessary t0 place a floorboard under the pack — otherwise, turning the handle will simply drive the jack into the ground instead of raising the axle. Attaching the Spare Wheel. When th'e tyre has been lifted clear, the nuts can be removed, whereupon the wheel can be pulled off the studs. The spare wheel is then slid into position, after which the nuts must he replaced. It is important. not to tighten the nuts forcibly one hy one. The correct procedure is to apply just a moderate force to each in turn, so as to make sure that the wheel is firmly and evenly held; the final tightening can then be tackled. There is no need to exert Herculean strength, although the nuts should, of course, he screwed up qnite firmly.