SILENCING NOISY SHACKLES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3448, 22 November 1932, Page 3

SILENCING NOISY SHACKLES.

One of the most prolific causes of rattles even on fairly smooth roads, is shackles which have worn in such a way that considerable side-play exists. A rapid hammering action then takes place which not only causes noise, but also rapidly increases the wear. When the shackles are separate, it is usually necessary only to tighten the shackle pin nuts, but when they are joined together, as in the case

with many of the better cars, this will not suffice. One method then is to cut the connecting piece, but a better plan is to take up the wear with steel spacing washers. This method should also be used at the fixed end of the spring. When new shackles and pins have to be installed, it is a good plan to fit special self-adjusting shackles, such as are used on several popular American cars, if they can be obtained in a suitable size. Ball bearing shackles also can be obtained, which not only ai'e almost proof against wear, but require only very occasional lubrication. Worn front shackles also are likely to upset steering, and are frequent cause of wheel wobble and wandering. A shuddering action when braking is another effect of slackness here.