OPINIONS FROM OTHERS.
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The Editor invites correspondence on all subjects connected with the use of commercial motors. Letters should be on one side of the paper only and typewritten by preference. The right of abbreviation is reserved, and no responsibility for views expressed is accepted,
Lubrication of Shackle Pins.
[1072J Sir,—Having been very interested in the reading of the opinions of Mr. Guy, whom I have met on a, few occasions, and Mr. Flowerdew, on the subject of the lubrication of shackle pins and stub axles, may I, as an experienced driver, give my idea of what I consider the best mode of lubrication. For some years now I have been driving the one car (Burford), and I may say that, although all my pins and stub axles are fitted with greasers, and there maybe grease in them, I never use them. The greaser caps are screwed down tight, so that they shall not get lost, or shake off, or he taken off by mischievous children (which very often happens).
As the whole of the weight of the load and vehicle is always resting on the upper side of the spring bushes, and all the movement takes place there as well, what I do to clean and lubricate 15 this: I jack up the body of the car perhaps about once a fortnight, or as time permits, just to take the, weight off the spring ; I then thoroughly syringe the pins, and bushing with paraffin and let it drain whilst I do the , other eye. Then I. apply a mixture of gear and Fabricating oil, especially to the top of the bushing, whence, of course, it will run down to the lower side. This done, .it needs only the oilcan now and then to keep them in good order. The reason I use a little gear oil mixed with the lubricating oil is that gear oil is likely to hang better than pure engine oil. I do all my springs in this way, and I find it is a great deal quicker and easier than trying to force grease through a pin where in iiearly every case the grease has got hard with grit and other matter and will not come through.
Now for the stub axles. My method is thoroughly to wash the joints, at any time, sometimes whilst the car is being unloaded, or loaded, according to where I am. I take out the greaser, put the point of the oilcan in the pin, and force the oil through ; this, of course, is easier than trying to get grease through. The only thing about this way of lubrication is that it has to be done little and often, but I find that, where a man takes an interest in his car and the master takes the same with the man and provides the opportunities for these attentions, this is no trouble, as a little time now and then saves pounds in the end. I may add that I still have all original pins, etc., on my car now, with the exception of one, which got broken some time ago.
I have often wondered why springs and pins cannot be fitted with oilers, such as I suggest irt the sketches. I am sure they would be simple to fit. If the spring eye were drilled and tapped gas before it was tempered, it would be no trouble to screw in an oiler, and, being on top of the hush and pin, the oil can only run an round the pin and bush, and, I think, make an excellent lubricant. The oilcan could be used then at any time, so making matters easy. I have noticed a few American cars on the road fitted with oilers at the end of the shackle pins. I do not think much of that _idea, as I fail to see how they keep oiled, as there is no pressure behind-the lubricant.—Yours faithfully,
London. W. G. HATTER.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1973] Sir,—With reference to the discussion on this important subject, and particularly to the letters of Mr. Guy and Mr. Flowerdew in the issue of June 20th, I do not see that oil is going to provide a solution to this serious problem. Everyene knows of the dirty and gritty condition into which chassis details get in a short time on the road, and, despite Mr. Guy's amusement at the idea, foreign matter does get in very easily and does choke up the oil ways. Again, in the case of a worn steering pin or shackle bolt, what is going to happen to the oil except to distribute itself all over the springs, front axle, back axle, frame, etc., where it is decidedly not wanted? In my opinion, grease is unsatisfactory merely because of the mode of application, and I have pleasure in submitting to you a greaser which, I _ think, fulfils all Mr. Flowerdew's four points. The cap is permanently attached to the base. There is a constant feed which is automatically brought into action by the closing of the greaser, and this action is practically instantaneous. The stop on the plunger indicates when it requires replenishing. The action of this greaser will,. I think, be apparent to you. You press back the locking lever, fold the cap upwards, pull out the plunger rod until the check pin clicks in arid it is now ready for filling. The action of closing is simple and the release on the side of the cap automatically withdraws the check pin. I may say I have fitted several of these greasers with the utmost satisfaction.—Yours faithfully, Stockport. GILBERT C. BATE.