Knee Action Put To Test

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 100, 1 May 1935, Page 11

Knee Action Put To Test

One hears many claims and counterclaims about the safety of knce-action, as independent front wheel springing is often called. In the light of those claims it is interesting to read the report of a road tost of a Chevrolet Master Sedan conducted by au England motor journal “Tho Motor” and reported in t.hcir issue of January 22nd. This says in part:—

“Ono of the important claims made for this suspension is that iu the event of a front tyre burst, the car would not be thrown out of control. Such a claim is difficult to justify, as a rule, as no one is eager to cause a deliberate burst when motoring at speed. As luck would have it, wc were forced to prove it, for whilst motoring round Brooklands track the off-side front tyre suddenly gave out.' It was not an actual burst but a very rapid deflation —too quick for us to be able to brake, which, in any case would certainly havvo been inadvisable to. do.

At tho time our speed was in the region of 75 rn.p.h., and whilst tho car was immediately pulled a few. yards out of t.lio course up the Byllcet banking, tliero was no feeling of uncontrollability, front-end pitching or wheel flap, as one would normally expect, although the cover was then absolutely flat. This is a great safety factor, worthy of emphasis.