Tailor-made Vehicles Wanted
Page 49
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REPLYING to the letter from H. W. Heyrhan of
Smiths Delivery Vehicles, Ltd., published in your issue dated July 20; I am afraid that this correspondent has got hold of the wrong end of the stick. I was not criticizing Britain's output of commercial vehicles, which was higher 16.st year, as he says. Nor do I imply that journeys abroad are not worthwhile; what I wrote was to the effect that it seemed to me that too few manufacturers take the trouble to find out what the customer really wants. By this I meant that journeys abroad will be more profitable when the makers are able to supply vehicles tailor-made to meet the specific requirements of overseas customers.
If the three large producers would design vehicles expressly for overseas operators, the results would be more encouraging. • I am sure that many buyers abroad prefer British-built vehicles, but in my view they would like them much more if they weie built exactly to specifications intended to meet the peculiar climatic and geographical conditions in the countries in which they are to be operated.
The question of sales and service facilities is one that is also taken into consideration very strongly by Customers abroad. It is'aggravating to wait for, perhaps, three months for small items merely because a local stockist has possibly overlooked ordering sufficient supplies.
I am sorry if I have upset Mr. Heyman but my letter was intended to contain helpful advice and to point out that the more overseas. technical research is instituted
the better it will he for our exports. .
Doncaster, Yorks. J. W. MORRIS.
Why Did the Wheel Come off ?
WE are wondering whether you or your readers can " help to solve this .rnystery. The near-side rear wheel of a Morris 25-30-cwt. vehicle came adrift, complete with studs, while the driver was descending a hill in low gear. When the wheel was examined it was found that the wheel nuts were tight. It was later discovered that the nuts inside the brake drum, which hold the studs to the hub flange, had come off.
The wheel nuts and studs were examined by the makers of the vehicle, who reported that the centre shoulder of the studs was worn and had been moving in the wheel register. The front thread portion of the studs and the cones of the front nuts were also worn. This, they said, was positive indication that the front nuts had been loose at some time.
As the shoulder of the studs was worn, it suggested that movement in the hub register had taken place. Assuming that the wear in the hub register was sufficient to allow the studs to turn, it was possible that the action of tightening the front studs had caused the back nuts, which had lefthand threads, to become loose. There was no wear on the threads of the studs or the "back nuts, which one would expect to find if these nuts had become loosened. Why, then, did the wheel come off?
This vehicle has been in service for 34 years and since it was ovettauled by us the wheel has not been removed.
Darwen, Lancs. -PERPLEXED.
Things to Come — But not Yet
IN your issue of April 13 you included a reference to the
Vibration ‘Eliminator introduced by Compoflex Co., Ltd. I have been asked by this company—who are one of my clients—to point out that you included in this reference the following comment:— " The seamless metallic tubing as made for the higher pressure range should be suitable for use between a fuel injector pump and injectors."
. Whilst this is a perfectly valid comment, Compollex have received a number of embarrassing inquiries from readers, who seem to have assumed that this application is now an established fact. It is, of course, an item which will be included under future development but at the moment attention is being paid primarily to normal commercial requirements, and the more complicated issues, such as small-bore injector pipes at high peessures. have yet to he considered in great detail.
London. W.C.i. P. D. BISHOP.
Enthusiasts should Combine
I AM amazed at the number of transport clubs springing up. What is the long-established Omnibus Society doing to offer to the enthusiast that which apparently these new clubs do? I know the Society goes deeper than just taking bus numbers and other junior pursuits, but operators are going to become heartily sick of requests from all these different clubs and then the doors of hospitality will close to all.
Whilst finance does not enter into the question, surely it is a case of amalgamation or some agreement whereby all enthusiasts in a particular area can join to make one visit to an operator.
Liverpool. NOTE.