SEARCHING FOR NOISES

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21985, 8 January 1937, Page 6

SEARCHING FOR NOISES

THE WORRIES THAT REMAIN ANNOYING SQUEAKS Motoring is lull of little worries, and sometimes the smallest ones arc the most annoying. A motorist may accept philosophically a major breakdown which involves a long tramp to the nearest telephone for help, but a small squeak or rattle continuing all the time the car is in motion may grate on his, nerves so that he becomes nearly frantic. Car construction has improved" so much during the last five years that not nearly as many unwanted noises are developed in chassis and bodywork as there used to be."

In tracing rattles and squeaks the services of a friend are invaluable, for, while the car is taken for a run, he can climb about the vehicle and listen carefully until he has’ ascertained the approximate position from which the most persistent noise is coming. Sometimes, of course, the squeak comes from the engine, and to find out if this is so run the car on a slight down grade, put the gear lever in neutral, switch off, and coast. Should the squeak disappear immediately, 'it is obvious that the engine is the culprit. The next step is to ascertain from what part of it ,the noise is coming. Lift the bonnet and run the engine, when the source of the noise should be located. Fan belts, fan bearings, water pump bearings,, and accessory shafts are very common, offenders. A penetrating noise can be caused-by an air leak in the‘induction manifold. If the squeak seems to be at half engine speed, the chances are that it is caused by a dry tappet or rocker, or even a dry valve stem. Engine squeaks of this nature, however, are rarely difficult to deal with, and, more often than not, ,a little lubrication is all. that' is needed. •

Body Noises By far- the most difficult noises to trace come from the body work, particularly in that front assembly of radiator grille" and "front mudguards, which nowadays consists of so. much pressed steel joined-together-, by bolts that there are many parts which can rub" together and squeak. If the lacing in the shell of the grille and in the leading edge'of the scuttle on which the bonnet rests breaks or becomes hard and polished, the bonnet, which unavoidably moves very slightly, but continually, while the car is running, will cause a noise. Noise can also emanate- from bonnet catches, especially that type which consists of a hook gripping a metal bar. Door catches and hinges are constant offenders, but are easily dealt with, as a drop of oil will nearly always effect a complete cure. > It should not be difficult to differentiate between body noises and chassis squeaks, because .those that come from the body are apt to be obtrusive all the time, whereas ji chassis noise is generally intermittent, and often only to be heard on a rough road; Should, for example, a loud squeak or rattle be heard every time the car hits a bump it is obvious that it comes from the chassis, and most" likely has some*

thing to do with the springs or shock absorbers. Brake rods and engine control rods are apt to wear loose and cause rattles, but these generally can easily be stopped by winding a rubber band round the offending rod and stretch/ ing it to some convenient chassis bolt. A light spring suitably attached can. be made to serve the same purpose, the idea, whichever method is used, being to place the loose - rod under tension. Finally, in searching lor elusive rattles, do not forget the tool box. Loose spanners, hammer, or jack can cause the most worrying thumping noise and will almost inevitably do so unless very well packed away. CHROMIUM PLATING Complaints are sometimes heard that chromium-plated : parts' of a car. exposed to the weather are rusty, when actually they are only tarnished and stained with road scum, which may contain acid from exhaust gases or salt where the car is used near the seaside. • It is easy to distinguish tarnished from rusted parts, because tarnished places are of a yellowish colour instead of the bright red colour of rust. The original finish can be restored quickly —if the parts are only tarnished —by polishing or rubbing lightly with naphtha or a solveht type of body polish, It should be remembered that chromium requires periodic washing and polishing just as a cellulose body finish does, and ordinary polishing or cleaning with naphtha will keep the finish bright. Occasionally, however, it is found that the chromium does not stay bright for any length of time after cleaning. In a case of this sort, clean the parts thoroughly with steel wool or rubbing compound. and then with naphtha, and apply a coat of clear cellulose, being careful that the cellulose. does not'get ohto the painted body, panels^