LUBRICATION OF SPRINGS.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 252, 24 October 1919, Page 2

LUBRICATION OF SPRINGS.

ADVANTAGES AND DRAW-

BACKS,

Motorists have been tgld,. tunes without number, says The Auto (England) thr-t they should periodically introduce some'form of. lubricant—

oil, grease, or a mixture of either with graphite—between the leaves of their springs. But while in the majority of cases a. distinct advantage is apparent as a result of this treatn cnt, it is not invariably a desirable practice. This statement may seem to be sheer heresy to most motorists, but it is a fact, nevertheless, and proof is not lacking. Lubrication of die spring-leaves is desirable when tile suspension is inclined to be harsh, or when the springs are not particularly flexible. In either case, want of oil or grease between the leaves has the effect of preventing free p'ovement between them. Bui.when the springs are long and flexible a certain amount; of friction between the plates prevents excessive reaction after a depression! or bump in the road-surface lias been pasted; in ether words, the rebound is dampedout. ' v

That friction is desirable in a car's

suspension is evident from the fact that coil springs have been found unsuitable, owing to the excessive reaction which occurs after they have

I been compressed or extended The ! molecular friction of the metal counts ! for nothing, ancl the bouncing which occurs on a rough road is even more painful to the passengers than the buffeting that arises from a set of harsh, leaf springs. The ideal is a combination of flexible springs 11 -r-rouglily and regularly lubricated, vith "snabbers" to check excessive' i< Lound. Before these "snubbers" (otherwise spring-dampers) were fitted, the effect of lubricating the spT ing-leaves was that on rough roads the passengers were as often off, the. f-ients as on them, owing to the bouncing which then occurred.- "With- i out lubrication the springs were quite good; but with the combination mentioned as ideal they were far and away above the average. Cnlubricated or rusty springs generate friction, whether they are being compressed or are opening out; but when tl.'^y are ■ lubricated and springdsmper.s are fitted, friction between the; leavus is practically eliminated, and -the rebound from--compression is kept within, definite limits by the "snubbers."

Harsh or normally inflexible springs, then, may with advantage be lubricated in any event; 'but a ically flexible suspension system is often far better and more comfortable when the leaves are. actualW i'us-ty. in this connection it v/ill siirprise many motorists to know that dui'iiig a discussion on a paper Tfad last year before the American Society of -Automoti /c Engineers, several of the speakers made suggestions; as to the best means of encouraging the formation of rust between the leaves of car springs. The additional friction arising from rusty ic-aves was accounted. a mei'rb under road, conditions other than those obtio'ning on smooth "city pavements." Tut in evory case the speakers, had in mind long and flexible springs.