CARE OF SPRINGS
The springs of an automobile are in constant motion, and should be as carefully lubricated as the other parts of a car. The spring hangers by which the two halves of a full elliptic spring are joined, or by which a half elliptic spring is attached to the frame, are often provided with grease cups, but in the absence of these the parts should be frequently oiled. Once a season fresh lubricant should be applied to them. The leaves of a spring may usually be separated enough for this by jacking up the body, applying the jack to the frame; the springs will thus be relieved of the weight, and the leaves will separate sufficiently to permit heavy grease or graphite to be introduced between them by means of a table knife. If the springs are too heavy to permit this, they must be taken apart, which may be done by removing them from the car and releasing the clips by which they are held together. In reassembling a spring, it may be clamped in a vise, when the clip may easily be secured.