8
the car. On cars having slip joint square in. the engine flywheel, the plate, (held by four screws), must be removed to
apply the grease. If a smooth running car is desired, all drive shaft bearings must be kept well greased.
The work done by the front wheel bearings is usually underestimated. They receive all the shocks of the road
surface and the side strains caused by changing the direction of the car. By the leverage of the wheel from hub to tire,
this latter is sometimes very great, especially in turning corners at high speed or turning out of ruts. The front hubs are
packed with hard oil, the bearings being ball bearings. This will provide lubrication for long periods. However, it is
not wise to trust the grease for too great a length of time, as it may become dry hard from excessive wear. At least
every five thousand miles of fairly continuous use the old grease should be cleaned out and replaced with a fresh
supply. Graphite grease is especially good for front wheel bearings.
At all times when car is running, the safety of the passengers depends upon the steering gear. A steering gear,
which binds or is loose from wear, is a constant menace. Both can be prevented almost entirely by plenty of
lubrication. Without it all the pin joints wear rapidly, owing to the vibration of the front wheels.
Hard oil is used throughout. The majority of the joints are covered with leather "boots". These should be
unlaced to allow cleaning of joint and renewing of grease. Pay especial care to the steering knuckles, as the load upon
them is heavy. The grease cups on these should be screwed up every day. The steering gear housing is packed with
grease, within which works the worm and segment. A grease cup is provided for this.
A mixture of light oil and kerosene is excellent for dry springs. Pour it over the springs at night and wipe off
surplus in the morning. By lifting body of car with jacks and removing load from springs, the mixture will penetrate
better between the leaves.
The spring and shackle pins, as well as radius rod pins, are important points to lubricate. The weight of the
entire body and passenger load, as well as power plant, is suspended on these. As they are in constant motion, it is
easily seen that unless well lubricated, they will wear rapidly. The pins have a hole in their centers through which
grease can be forced with a grease gun.
The brake levers, especially the ones on the rear axle, are very much exposed to mud, water and dust. The
oiling of these is often neglected, and the result is they rust and seize. In the latter case the brakes will not release after
they have been applied. On brake bands lined with camel's hair belting or fiber, a little light oil applied will improve
their holding qualities.
Do not neglect to oil all the small pin joints. These do not need it as often as some of the other points, but
they need it at times just as much. The reverse lever and rod, the gear shifting lever and rod, brake lever, pedals,
simpling valve connections, all need oil at regular periods.
The last item does not exactly pertain to lubrication, but to a part of the oil system. This is the steam gauge
and water regulator. The pressure, which operates the water regulator, is obtained through a pipe connected to the
main steam pipe just before it reaches the throttle. A continuation of this pipe runs to the dash and terminates in the
steam gauge. Thus the water regulator and steam gauge obtain their pressure from the same source. To protect the
gauge and water regulator diaphragms and to avoid a pressure fluctuation, this line is filled with cylinder oil. By
opening the valve under the footboards and directly below the oiler, the path of the oil is changed from the cylinders
to this pressure pipe. Giving the hand pump on the oiler 20 to 30 strokes is sufficient to fill this line with oil. A
positive way is to break union where pipe connects at steam line and pump till oil drips out. Be certain that the valve
is closed before starting the engine. If steam gauge pointer vibrates it is a fair indication that the pressure pipe needs
oil.
