SOME USEFUL TIPS.
Page 73
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Interesting Contributions from Our Driver and Mechanic Readers.
Renewing Worn Threads on Axle Sleeves.
SINCE the Minister of Transport has called attention to the danger of improperly, designed or adjusted rear-axle nuts we have had numerous letters from maintenance engineers pointing out how they have dealt with the trouble by improvising some means for tinkering up either the nut or the thread on the axle, or both, so that further service can be obtained without the delay consequent upon sending the axle back to the makers or to an engineering shop where the thread can he recut.
It is true that some of the trouble may have been due to incorrect adjustment, but if the axle and its nut had been properly designed in the first place with a proper means for tightening the not to its thread, trouble would not have arisen.
We have in this page, however, to confine ourselves more to the requirements of the garage engineer than to those of the designer, so we give the auggestion of " E.G.H.," of Leeds, as a practical way of reviving a badly worn thread on the end of an axle sleeve by chasing the thread in place. His method is more applicable to that class of axle where a floating bush is employed than to a ball or roller-bearing type. As will be seen by his sketch, he utilizes the sleeve as a means for holding an ordinary chaser by means of a clip surrounding the sleeve, a block which is pivoted to the clip and a setscrew which enables the chit:3er to be set inwards each time it is wound up the -thread. The ends of the clip form convenient handles with which to turn the device.
In arranging the chaser it is necessary to see that its threads engage well with the remains of the thread in the a:ale ; if this be attended to the chaser can be wound backwards without it tearing the thread away. " E.G.H." tells us that he gets smoother cutting when the sleeve is well lubricated internally with heavy oil.
. . A Fire Precaution.
THERE is nothing that a driver or
an owner of a vehicle dislikes more than his vehicle catching fire, A correspondent, "TM.," of Brighton, points out that one often reads in the daily Press the following paragraph: "The engine backfired, and the vehicle instantly burst into flames." Hi g explanation of the cause of this is a simple one, and one that is probably correct iu most cases. He suggests that the trouble begins With a fracture of a petrol pipe where it joins the carburetter. The petrol continues to flow, but does not reach the carburetter, consequently the ',engine runs on what is in the carburetter, and as that comes to an end there is, as usual, a backfire. This lights the gas arising from the escapingpetrol, and in an instant the vehicle is on fire.
Our correspondent ?Tikes the following suggestions, which would undoubtedly greatly reduce the risk of fire. The air inlet, where a backfire causes a flash, might be raised to some position where such a flash would not ignite petrol flowing from a broken pipe.
If an under tray be fitted he suggests that it should be well provided with some means to permit the escape of any petrol that may flow from a broken pipe, and that no rags or waste should be allowed to remain in it. The main petrol tap should be in such a position that the driver can get at it with ease, even if the vehicle be on fire.
Care should be taken that the tank rests on some material that will not chafe it, as leaks have often occurred through a tank becoming loose and wearing away the felt on which it rests, then chafing a hole in itself through resting on bare metal.
All petrol pipes, he suggests, should be annealed at times and examined, and their nipples should go naturally into their places and not require springing
into position. Long .lengths of pipes should have supports at intervals, and finally he says that every driver should insist on being provided with an efficient extinguisher, which should be fixed in a convenient -place.
Ball-bearings as V-block.
THE ordinary V-block, although useful for many jobs, such as the testing of shafts for truth, is not the best of tools for the purpose, as the friction set up between the journal and the V will prevent the shaft from being revolved at a speed which is convenient to detect any error that may exist.
Rollers take the place of the usual V in some blocks, so " A.B.," of Avonbridge, has made blocks as shown in his
sketch. Two plates of steel can be easily cut to shape and slotted to receive the pins that support the rollers and drilled to take the connecting pieces at the base. " A.B." shows both the ball bearings in the same plane, and provides adjusting Slots so that they can be set at 'different distances apart to suit various sizes of shaft
This arrangement is not essential, however, as what are known as "balancing ways" are to be bought where larger rollers set in different planes and overlapping each other are employed. By this arrangement there is no need to adjust the distance apart of the rollers. The same plan could easily be carried out with ball bearings of a larger size than those shown.
A Wheel-aligning Jig. THE accurate alignment of front
wheels appears to be a task which puzzles many, and yet the importance of correctness in this detail cannot be exaggerated, as faults will cause rapid tyre wear and stiff steering, besides throwing uncalled-for stresses upon the wheel bearings, etc.
With a view to facilitating this aligning, " A.R.P.," of Harley, has devised a simple jig. which he has built up from old Ford parts. Two fan brackets and three pieees of steel rod of dimensions to suit these brackets are arranged in the manner illustrated. It will be noted that two wing nuts are required in the bases of the brackets to permit large adjustments to be made.