STEERING GEAR FAILURES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXV, Issue 3278, 12 March 1931, Page 2

STEERING GEAR FAILURES.

Few motorists give the attention to the steering gear of their cars which this part of mechanism demands. It is a wonderful testimony to the care and attention taken in manufacture that one so seldom hears of serious accidents due to steering gear failure. But even if there are no serious accidents, this neglect has some effect in reducing the efficiency of the steering gear. If it is left unlubricated it will make cornering and general manoeuvring of the car decidedly “heavy,” as do under-inflated tyres, and it will be found that what was previously almost effortless and automatic has become a matter of actual push and pull. The obvious remedy is the immediate application of lubricant to the steering heads and the various joints of the track rod and drag link. The steering gear-box itself needs very occasional cleaning out and a renewal of its lubricating supply, and sometimes the lubrication of the steering column is neglected. Cases have been known of excessively heavy steering, due solely to the steering column not having been oiled. When this has been remedied, all was well again. On some cars the points for oiling the steering column are not easily accessible. There is also too little attention paid to the steering bearings in the way of protection from water and mud splashing. They should be kept packed with lubricant from the first day the car is on the road, and especially in winter should the grease gun be often applied to force old lubricant out and new lubricant in. If this is done often, trouble with steering heads will not arise, and the steering will always be maintained in good working order. Wear also will be reduced and adjustments seldom required.