| BRAKE SHAFT | SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL | |
| PULL RODS | ||
| ADJUSTING TURNBUCKLE | EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER | |
| INTERNAL BRAKE SHAFT | ||
| EXTERNAL BRAKE SHAFT | ||
| ADJUSTING THUMB SCREW | ||
| ADJUSTMENT | ||
| INTERNAL BRAKE BAND | ||
| EXTERNAL BRAKE BAND |
Fig. 127. Brake—Arrangement and Adjustment—“Buick”
Brake Care.—A great deal depends upon the proper operation of the brakes. They should be regularly inspected at least once a month for loose adjustments and uncleanliness. The need of adjustment usually occurs from natural wear, while an unclean frictional surface is usually the result of oil or grease seepage through the outer axle bearing. A felt washer is provided to prevent this from taking place, but as these washers are subjected to considerable pressure, they often become caked and hardened and lose their absorbing effectiveness. These washers can be purchased at any accessory store for a few cents apiece, and applied with very little trouble.
Cleaning the Surface of the Brake Bands.—This is accomplished by removing the wheel and washing the friction contact surface with gasoline, after the surfaces have become thoroughly dry. Drop three or four drops of castor or Neat’s foot oil on the contact surfaces of the drum, and replace the wheel and spin it a few times before releasing the jack.
Caution.—After you have set the gears for starting, and before you release the clutch pedal, always reach and make sure that the emergency brake lever is in the neutral position. New drivers invariably forget to do this, which results in severe strain on the bearings, and causes them to get loose; the average brake band will not stand more than fifteen to twenty minutes of continuous contact before it burns or wears beyond the point of usefulness.
CHAPTER XXXIV
SPRING CARE TESTS
Information recently gathered from observation and interviews shows that the average owner who operates and cares for his car, invariably overlooks the springs and their connections while giving the car the bi-monthly or monthly tightening-up and greasing, while the balance of the car usually receives the required attention.
This fact seems to be due mostly to an oversight, for the springs are usually inspected while the car is motionless and at this time they do not show defects readily, and have the appearance of being rigid, inactive, and compact.
Weekly Spring Care.—Weekly spring care should consist of filling the grease cups (with a medium hard oil cup grease) and turning them down until the grease makes its appearance at the outer edge of the spring eye. This, under ordinary driving conditions, will be sufficient lubrication for one week. But in cases where the car receives more than ordinary use the grease cups should be given one-half turn every second day. The shackle connections should then be wiped dry to prevent dust and grit clinging and working into the bearing, which causes much wear on even a sufficiently lubricated bearing surface.
Bi-monthly Spring Care.—Special attention should be given at this time to the U-shaped clips which connect the spring to the axle. A loose clip means a broken spring at the first severe jolt, caused by the rebound taking place between the clips. Therefore, tightly adjusted clips will prevent action from taking place at the point between the clips where the leaves are bolted together and will entirely eliminate spring breakage. Tighten up the nut on the leave guide clip bolt to prevent rattling. The shackles should be inspected for side play. To determine whether there is side play, jack up the frame until the weight is off the spring, then grasp it near the shackle and shake with an in and out motion. If there is play a rattle thump will be heard. To take out play, remove cotter pin and turn up castillated nut snugly on the shackle pin. If the nut cannot be turned up a full notch, place a thin washer over the end of the pin. The nut, however, should not be turned up too tight as a certain amount of action is necessary.