MOTORING NOTES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIX, Issue 3103, 27 June 1929, Page 7

MOTORING NOTES

THE WIRE WHEEL. KEEP .SPOKES TIGHT. The wire wheel is regarded as being the strongest and safest type in existence, but it possesses these merits only when it is in perfect condition. Tbe main trouble with this type of wheel (says a Sydney Mail writer; is that the.spokes gradually become loose. T>> remedy the defect will require not a little care and trouble, but if the motorist approaches his task bearing these facts in mind there is no reason why he should not complete it with success. As each spoke is provided at its end with a small nut, on the face of things it is a. Simple matter to tighten loose spokes; but two troubles may be met with—first, the nut may be rusted so solidly that it-is impossible to move it with the very small spanner which must be employed; while, secondly, the inexperienced owner is liable to over-tighten a spoke and so loosen a number of adjacent ones, at the same time throwing the rim out of truth. Therefore-the work mustbe tackled with the very greatest care, and each, loose spoke tightened until the strain is just taken up; do not give an extra twist to the nut "for luck." A plan followed by most wire-wheel repair men to determine whether a spoke is at its proper tension is to "ring" it by giving a tap with the spanner. The tone given forth in comparison with the tone of the other tight spokes will show whether the tension is correct. With the steel' artillery and the steel disc wheels it is practically impossible for a.ny part to loosen in service, as these types to all intents and purposes are in one piece. Owing to the construction of some of thera-at the hub, however, the very greatest care must be. exercised to keep the five or six nuts which, hold them in place on their studs, tightened evenly,' in order to avoid wobbling on *the axles.