LOCATING NOISES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 269, 27 October 1934, Page 12

LOCATING NOISES

Causes Usually Obscure SIMPLE TESTS OUTLINED After taking delivery of a new car tin owner is not likely to be troubled with rattles, blit annoying squeaks may develop from time to time. These very often take the form of a high-pitched genuine squeak, or one of a lower pitch suggesting rubbing contact somewhere in the mudguarding. These noises in a new car are rather difficult to find, as their point of production is very uncertain, but methods used by factory mechanics and testers invariably result in their location and cure, and an idea of these may be of interest. In lhe case of the aforesaid variety the first thing to do is to press down the wings in turn, and, if that does not reproduce lhe sound, to stand on the running-board and do a little light jumping, intended to produce a defleetion that imitates the action on the road. The third test is to stand on the run-ning-board and cause the car to roll by similar means, and by pulling the body with the hands. GREASE OR OIL. If carried out at either side these antics usually succeed in reproducing the sound iu question, and an assistant should, then be able to find the spot responsible. A little grease or oil is all that is necessary to cure the trouble, and it is often useful to remember the type of noise and its position for tracing similar troubles. Likely points are where the mudguards join the chassis, body and steps, or where, the valances are attached; and recurrence at frequent intervals indicates loose screws and nuts, which should be tightened up.

Such noises are not always caused by the steps or running-board and the wings, but often emanate from pipes and rods at points where they touch the dash and other parts, or where they pass through holes or rest clips. Pipes clamped to the dash frequently produce obscure squeaks, as also do spare wheels and their brackets, and the latter should be given a good shake when the trouble appears to be in their vicinity.

Bonnets should also be carefully examined where they rest upon the fabric threaded through the scuttle and radiator flange, and any point indicating excessive gloss should be given a wipe with an oily rag.

As the car progresses through life rattles may develop from lime to time which indicate looseness of some part, but this typo of noise usually gives itself away, and if the various parts suspected bo given a shake the noise can be quickly located and cured by tightening the part ill question. BODY BOLTS Not so easily found, however, is a rattle produced by the body being slightly loose on the frame, and a noise only developed periodically when a big lurch takes place on a rough road can often be traced to this cause. 'the reason for this is that the body bolts, often about six in number, in time settle further into the woodwork, and it is necessary to give them a good tightening from underneath. Now that tools arc carried in various parts of the car these should also be in turn suspected; along with other things, jacks, if not properly closed up. produce noises sometimes not readily traced. Undertray noises cause worry at times, and these are best located by allowing the car to coast a hill preferably with a rough surface, and, after an idea has been obtained as to position, locating them definitely in the garage by springing the tray about. Annoying tinkling noises which occur when descending a hill, and disappear when ascending, may b* due to a starter pinion moving along the shaft and occasionally touching the flywheel teeth, and in this case the spring has lost its tension and needs changing; this is quite a small matter, and may be easily cured when the cause is known. Heavy creaks are invariably traceable to the bodywork, and may be due to anything from loose doors to floorboards, but the point where the dashboard attaches to the chassis should not be forgotten. Loose window panes are also, not unknown, nnd are found by tapping with the hand, and all parts, such as luggage carriers and number plates, should be examined and tightened when necessary. The general cure, in all cases where looseness is not the cause, is grease or oil, and where there is not much time for location a general application to the suspected spots will often result in a sudden disappearance.