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ROAD AND WORKSHOP by Handyman

11th September 1964
Page 66
Page 66, 11th September 1964 — ROAD AND WORKSHOP by Handyman
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Inspection after Ditching

QN learning that one of your vehicles has ditched, overturned or become involved with a third party, your early concern is the extent of the damage. In most instances, where frontal damage is extensive, with severe shock to steering and undercarriage, a full strip-out will be called for—together with a close examination of all the steering joints and units, whether visibly damaged or not-and full use will be made of crack detection services. However, there are many less serious incidents, particularly in winter time, where your machine has been diverted into a dyke or ditch and where little appears damaged other than lamps, wings, and perhaps a broken or displaced road spring. It is, of course, a relief to learn that this is the extent of the damage, and that a few hours, or a day at most, will return the vehicle to service. Nevertheless, things are not always what they seem, and had one seen the steering wheel whipped from the driver's grasp, and heard the crack as the steering was slammed into full lock, it is quite certain that one would have taken 'a very different view and the vehicle would not have returned to work without a very close examination and test. The shock of hitting full lock as described should, of course, be borne by the stops behind each swivel assembly, and therefore the steering box itself should be safe,

Yet on many medium-sized vehicles these stops are removed or adjusted to increase turning ability, with no serious thought to the nearness of the steering box limits, and only when these vehicles are jacked up for steering check, and the wheels swung from lock to lock, is it apparent that the steering box itself is acting as the lock stop, with the steering quadrant taking the full shock. Quite a number of people using the smaller, articulated vehicle will cut back or remove the stops altogether to increase manreuvrability for street deliveries, and it is quite 'common to see bright marks on push rods ot chassis where tyres are now permitted tc rub, It is accepted, of course, that'certair operators alter tyre equipment for then own purposes, and this can well cause the bright marks mentioned. The real danger however, is when stops are removed ant the limit is reached only when the steer. ing quadrant can move no further.

An instance of this was discovery recently on a small tractor after repain following ditching. There was no reason to strip the steering right out as the damage was superficial. Therefore, thi; section received no more than hub cheel and toe-in attention. After a few day back at work, the driver reported th■ vehicle satisfactory, other than that hi steering wheel was in a new positiot when running straight ahead. This wa d:sturbing and a search was made for ail reason—possible sheared key, and so :A --and ending with the steering box beinl removed. Only then was it discoveret that the steering box spindle was twistei to the extent of one spline, between tho steering arm inner face and the splin run-out. Crack detection showed a 7' per cent separation, and hitting some thing less than a builder's brick woulo have disconnected the steering.

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