FORD VAN POINTERS.
Page 26
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By R. T. Nicholson (Author of "The Book of the Ford ").
IT IS, of course, well known that a floating axle is spared many of the shocks which an ordinary axle is called upon to bear. For the benefit of readers not posted in this technical term, it may be said that a floating axle has but one duty—that of conveying power: it is not asked (like the ordinary axle) to bear the weight of chassis or body; that is carried by the axle housing, inside which the axle proper turns. As the axle housing can be made " as strong as you please," having no turning movement, no question can arise as to the advantages attaching to the floating axle principle.
463.—Mitchell's Axle Adapter for the Ford. 463.—Mitchell's Axle Adapter for the Ford.
The Ford axle is not constructed on the floating principle; it bears the weight of chassis and body, and takes all the stresses of road. humps. While it is quite true that the Ford axle stands up wonderfully well under heavy strains it is also true that it would be spared many of those strains if it were made to "float," Mitchell's, axle adapter converts the Ford axle into a "floater." The accompanying illustration gives an idea of its construction. The official fitting instructions show how the idea is carried out.
Remove existing hub, extract roller bearing and roller bearing sleeve (of standard construction), and insert new axle adapter sleeve. Drill in axle housing through greaser hole and fit ara-in. stud, thus fixing sleeve. Fit the special ball races provided on extension of sleeve, and secure with locking ring. Existing road wheel must be bored out to about 90 mm. to fit new hub. The outside face-plate may be screwed on to the wheel with advantage. It will be seen that the effect of this construction is to cause the wheels to turn on the sleeve carried by the axle housing, no weight being imposed on the axle itself. The advantages claimed for this construction and method of attachment are the following:—
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a Eliination of stress on axle shaft obviates ar
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a Eliination of stress on axle shaft obviates ar all we, and enormously minimizes liability to breakage. All weight removed from axle shaft. (2) // the axle, by any chance, should break, carrie off (as with the standard the wheel cannot
construction), and brake continues to act. n42
(3) Reduction of wear and tear on back tyres, wheels being always maintained upright. They cannot get loose and wobble, as in the standard arrangement. (4) Increase .of m.p.g., through substitution of ball bearings for roller bearings, and consequent reduction of friction. , (5) Load can be doubled. Every part is interchangeable. Satisfied users testify to the advantages claimed, notably (3), (4), (5) above; 28-35 miles per gallon are n said to have been achieved, and a loki of 15 -cwt. is said to be easy for the van. Price, k:15 14s., from the Walliscard Motors, whose works are at 18, Rullerton Road, Wallasey.
464.--A Reader's Tip.
I am indebted to "JEW." for the following tip (although I have dealt with the .same matter before):— In the new ton truck (I am not sure about the new van) the front wheels are mounted on roller bearings, which require rather more attention to lubrication than the usual ball bearings. It is very difficult to' force the grease through the rollers by means of the hub cap, and it is, therefore, advisable to remove the wheels occasionally, and, taking out the bearings, both inner and outer, thoroughly to grease the rollers before replacing. If the wheels are jacked up periodically, it is generally possible to ascertain if the bearings are or are not properly lubricated--simply by turning them by hand.
465.—To My Esteemed Correspondents.
Let. me dot down once more a few words to thoso, who write to me for help. Kindly attend to the followiing points,: 1. Write clearly. I do not insist on typewriting, although I prefer it ; but it is really net fair to write illegibly on knotty points. 2. Write clearly in another way; tell me exactly what your problem. is, exactly what the symptoms of trouble are. Do not omit vital details. If you do, you leave me guessing, and my guessing will not help you. Remember, it is not easy prescribing for troubles at a distance anyway. t should like to be on the spot every time; but as that is impossible, let-rne see—in my mind's eye—as clearly as you can. Write at any length you please. Do not skimp information. Be exact. Do not use ambiguous language. Make me Fee what you see. That is precisely what try to do in writing in these columns. If you can go one better,. I shall not be jealous! 3. You must enclose stamped addressed envelope if you want a reply. I get no fewer thazt 50 letters a week on Ford topics. That means 8s. 4d. for stamps —E21 13s. 4d. a year. Add cost of stationery, and you have 240 outlay—which somebody must stand; and I do not see why it should fall on me. I give time and paper, but I set the limit there. As a matter of fact., most of my correspondents have now got into the way of sending stamped addressed envelopes, so that I am now giving a hint only to those few who overlook this condition. 4. Consult my three books, please, before raising questions, and see if the answers are not to be found there. They usually are. If there, the answers will be more complete and exact that I can make them in a letter; and they will often be clearly illustrated.' Those three books are: " The Book of the Ford," "The Book of the Ford Van," and "The Book of the Ford Electrical Equipment."—all of which he who runs a Ford should read.