STEERING MECHANISM
NECESSARY ATTENTION. Few give the attention to the steering gear of their cars which this part the mechanism should receive. It is a wonderful testimony to the care and intention taken in manufacture that one so seldom hears of serious accidents due to steering gear failures. 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 manouevring of the car decidedly “heavy,” as do underinflated tyres, and it will be found that what was previously almost effortless and automatic has become a matter of acutal 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 gearbox 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.
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Bibliographic details
Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18635, 2 August 1930, Page 11
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292STEERING MECHANISM Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18635, 2 August 1930, Page 11
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