SQUEAKS AND RATTLES.

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 147, 12 September 1927, Page 16

SQUEAKS AND RATTLES.

TO PREVENT AND REMOVE. SOME USEFUL ADVICE. Tho removal of squeaks and rattles from a motor-car is an operation which is not generally understood by owners and many mechanics. In the instruction at technical schools, the subject is never mentioned, as the available time is required for a study of the chassis. Up-to-date service stations in America usually employ men who are experienced in eliminating squeaks and rattles. These men have a regular system of elimination which usually removes most of the squeaks before the car is tried on the road, then the few that remain can easily be located. The system used by these men is to separate squeaks and rattles into sections caused respectively by body crevices, loose doors, loose ruimingboards, loose floor boards, ill-fitting bonnets, brakes, engine supports, brake rods, springs, rim lugs, wheels and steering gear, and to cure each set by giving proper attention to the squeak causing faults in the section of the car in which they occur. As typical of the causes of squeaks, and of the cures practiced in America, the following paragraphs have been supplied by General Motors (Melbourne branch): — BODY SQUEAKS.

A mixture of kerosene and oil should be forced into body crevices with a squirt gun, or allowed to seep in from the application of a brush. This will overcome body squeaks, provided proper attention is given to the tightening of body bolts. Rocking the car will permit the mixture to penetrate thoroughly. It is a good suggestion to save the oil drained from the crankcase for this purpose. It is also advisable to let up on the body bolts and pack them up with grease. The grease will work over the surface of the bolt upon tightening, and thereby prevent the squeak at this source. In many cases the bolts will have t *j be removed, anc! large flat washers; placed under their heads to keep them from drawing into the wood sills of the body. LOOSE DOORS. Loose doors cause rattles which are easily corrected by inserting pieces of rubber between the two vibrating or charing surfaces. An old inner tube can be used for this purpose. A light household oil is an ideal lubricant for door hinges, latches and locks. Use sparingly, and be sure to wipe off excess oil. If the doors do not fit the openings properly they can usually be made to do so by using a shim between the body and frame at the rear end of the chassis. RUNNING BOARDS. A loose running-board will produce a rattling or rumbling sound. See that the bolts running through the step hangers and running-boards are fitted with nuts. Keep these nuts pulled up as tight as they will go. It is often necessary to ride on the running-boards to locate the rattles. Try rocking the car back and forth, as sometimes rattles will show' up in this way. A leather washer placed beneath the metal washer not only tends to stop rattling, but affords a compression that often saves the bolt from being stripped of its threads. Rim squeaks, due to loose rim lugs, may be quickly overcome by applying a small quantity of oil or graphite grease to each lug bolt, and tightening each to its

When hanging curtains, instead of running' tape in the tops, use elastic. They will hang much better. To freshen a ninon veil roll it on a thick stick and steam over boiling wa':er I'or half an hour, allow to dry, and. all creases will have disappeared.