“SUN” SERVICE STATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 770, 17 September 1929, Page 6

“SUN” SERVICE STATION

THE "Motordom” section of The Sun includes in its service to readers a Queries and Answers Department, the object of which is to give accurate information regarding mechanical and touring subjects. Whatever the particular puzzle may be in either diagnosing Irritating troubles or motoring information of any kind, "Headlight” will endeavour to help, or refer the point to men who are recognised automobile experts in their respective lines. All communications must be accompanied by the inquirer’s name and address (not for publication), and sent to THE SUN “Service Station, Motordom,” THE SUN, Auckland. Answers will appear weekly in this column.

“Auto.”—l have a 1925 model Hudson which has a very persistent fault. When descending any hill, the gear lever jumps into neutral, irrespective of the speed at which the car is travelling. The mileage is 22,000 and the gears are slightly worn, but I do not think this is the cause, as the fault developed when the car had done 7,000 or 8,000 miles. The fault occurs in top gear only, all the other gears being quite O.K. I have experimented with all types of selector springs, but can only prevent the jumping out by inserting such a strong spring that it is practically impossible to move the gear lever at all. This is a trouble that should have been dealt with immediately the tendency to ,slip out of mesh commenced, for these constant disengagements under pressure for so many thousands of miles will probably have tapered the teeth, and new replacements may be required. Would suggest examining the gears and making sure that they go fully into mesh. There may be end play in the shaft which would probably necessitate the fitting of new thrust washers. If steel ball is fitted to the selector, as an experiment this might be replaced with a plunger made to conform to the shape of the slot in the selector shaft, for this, together with a slightly heavier spring than standard, might have the desired effect. 8.C.C. — 1 would like you to tell me what to get to proof a black rubber motor coat I have. Upon the hands or articles of clothing coming in contact with it some of the rubber brushes off the coat on to said article, thereby soiling it. By doing so you will greatlv oblige. * * * Rubber experts tell me that the best way to treat your coat is to throw it in the garbage box. and buy another one. When rubber reaches the state you describe it has perished beyond redemption and cannot be satisfactorily treated. “Inquirer.”— My B.S.A. is giving me

a lot of trouble lately, owning to oil leaking from the gear box. I have only had the machine three months, and this trouble started the first week after taking delivery. Three times within two months the gear box has been taken down, and oil retaining washers fixed, and still the lubricating oil runs out on to the back chain, and is then thrown on to the rear tyre. This should not happen to a brand new machine. The lubricant runs out both sides of the gear box via the main shaft, the transmission and kick starter sides. It seems to me that something serious is wrong if competent mechanics can't put the matter right. To my way of thinking, the oil retaining washers foul the gears, and are thus dislodged from their seating, allowing the oil to leak out. Could any of your readers suggest a cure?

The method applied by the B.S.A. Company to retain the oil in the gearboxes of B.S.A. motor-cycles is by means of dish-shaped steel washers and felt packing glands. On either side of the ball race in the drive end of the gear-box, a dished washer is fitted which makes contact by pressure against the centre and outside rims of the ball race, to prevent the oil trom leaking through between the ball-bearings of the race. Should these washers lose their spring by becoming flat instead of dish-shaped, they would allow the oil to leak. This would only happen by the washers becoming worn, and in this case it would be necessary to replace them. On the mainshaft behind the clutch, there is a felt washer fitted which is pressed into the countershaft end of the pinion sleeve, on to which the countershaft cog is fitted when the clutch is in position. This washer prevents oil leakage at this point, and. therefore, must be in good condition. At the starter end of the gear-box where the clutch push rod enters the mainshaft. a felt gland washer is fitted and held in position by a gland nut. This vasher must be in good condition, jmd the gland nut kept tight against