8 O
THE OMAHA SUNDAY BEE: FEBRUARY 25, 1917.
CARE OF BEARINGS I Packard Single Compartment Brougham
SPELLSECONOMY
Automobile Owners Too Often
Fail to Give Them Proper
Attention.
FEW EXPERT SUGGESTIONS
Without ball or roller bearings the
automobile would be a sadly crippled
vehicle. It is safe to say that vou
know less about them than any other
important mechanical feature of the
car. and this perhaps is the best tes
timonial of their serviceability. You
are familiar with the carbureter be
cause it occasionally gives trouble,
you can change tires because you fre
quently have to, but you overlook
the importance of the bearings be
cause they are well behaved.
You know that there are two kinds
of hearings the plain bearing and the
anti-friction bearing. The plain bear
ing has been used for years, you are
familiar with it in machines of all
kinds, and you have seen it on the
wheels of the big locomotives. If it
is good enough for the steam locomo
tive, why is it not satisfactory for use
in any part of the automobile?
If you have ever noticed how care-"
ful the engineer is to oil these bear
ings at frequent intervals you have
partly answered the question, accord
ing to Charles Hammond in Motor
Life. Would you like to atop ever
few houn and lubricate the front and
rear wheel axles? That is what you
would have to do, because plain bear
ings demand constant lubrication.
Thin is because the rotating shaft
docs not bear directly against the
soft bearing metal, hut is separated
from it by a thin film of oil which must
tie constantly maintained in order to
keep the metal from wearing awav
rapidly. The crankshaft bearings are
of this type, and you know, that in
spite of the "fact that they are con
stantly automatically lubricated, they
wear out rapidly and allow play
enough for knocks and thumps to de
velop in the engine.
The second kind of bearing ii the
anti-friction type, in which the shaft
is in rolling contact with the bearing,
and ill which friction is greatly re
duced. To understand the difference
between rolling and sliding friction,
place a book flat on the table and
push k over the surface. Now, place
pencils under the book and, of course,
you can move it over the top of the
table with much less effort. This is the
principle of the roller bearing, in
which- the rollers, corresponding to
the pencil, are arranged around the
circumference of the shaft. ,
Care for Two Forces.
There are two forces which the
hearings must take care of at cer-
i
Velie Biltwell Six
r 0m"m I
Chandler Light Six Type
tain points in the car. If you push
down on the book the rollers or balls
can take care of the load, but suppose
you push against the edge of the book.
The book simply slides off of the
rollers, and the only thing to do is
to place another set of rollers against
the edge of the book at right angles
to the table. This is just what is done
in many cases, and the force which
acta along the axis of the shaft it
taken up by an end thrust bearing.
The tapered roller bearing is designed
to take care of both of these loads.
In principle it li much the same as
the cork in a bottle. You can rotate
the cork, but pressure behind it will
not force it inside. In the roller bear
ing of this type provision has also
been made for taking care of a cer
tain amount of end thrust.
In the hubs of the front wheels
bearings are subjected to a greater
strain than in any other place in the
car. Here they carry the weight of
the car over bumps and in ruts. In
turning a corner the end thruat men
tioned above makes a second force
with which to contend. This is the
force which throws you toward the
outer edge of the seat when the car
rounds a curve, and it adds greatly to
the burden which the bearings must
carry.
In the rear wheels more than half
of the weight of the car is carried by
the bearings. If the car strikes a atone
or drops into a rut the load is greatly
intensified, and, although springs and
cushions protect the passenger, the
full force of the blow is transmitted
to the wheel bearings. It is important
that these bearings be rugged enough
to resist the wear and tear of the hard
service which fall to their lot, for
as soon as wear becomes noticeable
and the wheel begins to wabble, you
can feel certain that miles are being
clipped from the life of the tires.
In the engine, bearings are used in
conection with the fan shaft, the
clutch and Starting motor, the mag
neto or generator and the steering
gear. These bearings are subject to
little or no shock, and usually out
live the car, demanding only occa
sional inspection and lubrication. The
crankshaft is in some instances sup
ported by bal bearings, but this prac
tice is by no means common, and
since ample lubrication is possible at
this point the plain friction bearing
continues to be used.
Lubrication Important.
Anti-friction bearings are indispen
sable in the transmission and the dif
ferential. In the transmission they
perform the important function of
keeping the shafts in use so that the
gears slide smoothly in and out of
mesh and run without noise. In the
differential they have an added duty
to perform. Power from the engine
is transmitted to the rear axle by
means of a driving pinion. The pres
sure between the teeth of the pinion
and the large gear with which it
meshes gives the pinion a tendency
to climb on the teeth of the gear, and
the bearing must take alt the strain
of keeping it in place.
With the exception of the tapered
roller-bearing, anti-friction bearings
are not adjustable, and require re
placement or regrinding when worn
out. Because of the important post
tions which they occupy in the car it
is imperative that replacement be
made as soon as wear has become ev
ident. but if the car has been prop
erlv equipped the bearings will last
several seasons. Occasional inspec
tion is necessary, and, of course, any
noise which originate! in the bear
ings demands immediate attention
There appears to be an erroneous
belief that ball or roller bearing! re
quire no lubrication, and that they
operate just as well when dry. Such
a belief ia far from the truth. Oil or
grease is not only necessary as a lu
bricant, but also aa a protective
agent to prevent rust and by aur
rounding the bearing to prevent the
entrance of dust or grit. Only the
beat mineral oil or light grease
should be used for this purpose. Con
trary (0 the general opinion, graphite
in grease, even though finely pulver
ized, causes the bearing to wear out
more rapidly and does not improve
the running qualities of the bearing
or reouce tne-- iriction. New York
Herald
HEAD OF OMAHA CHAND
LER COMPANY.
poodValuB-AlwaysGrovingGrEalEr
As the improvements ere made in Dodge
Brothers car nothing is said to Dodge
Brothers dealers, or to the public, about
them.
This is in pursuance of a policy inaugura
ted by Dodge Brothers at the very outset.
They look upon the progressive improve
ment of the car as a matter of course. '
It is a plain duty they owe to themselves
and to the public.
-'There is no necessity of heralding these
improvements in advance.
The public finds out about them in due .
time, and ; expresses appreciation and
approval.
And so, while theprocess of betterment
goes on every day, nothing is said of it
until after it is accomp1iihed.
The car is basically the same car as it was
two years ago. : :
Yet there isn't a bit of doubt but that it
is a better car.
The car of today is worth more money
than the car of two years ago.
The price ia the same, but the car is a
better car.
Not because the costs of materials have
increased although they have.
But especially because the standards of
construction have been steadily raised
the shop practice made steadily finer.
And still, the buyers of the first cars, and
every subsequent car, received full value.
That is proven by the fact that all of the
cars, no matter how long ago they were
built, are giving good service today.
It is still further proven by the high price
they command when sold at second hand.
Any car built by Dodge Brothers com
mands a high price whether it was built
twenty-two months, or twelve months, or
two months ago.
This high valuation on any car bearing ;
Dodge Brothers name, has been fixed,
not by them, but by the public.
Dodge Brothers have bad few market
problems to bother them, and practically
nothing to do but make the car better. "
They are their own severest critics,, and .
they will never wait for the public to ask '
for a better car from them.
.... . '
They try to anticipate to travel ahead
to give even more than is expected.
No material, no part, and no accessory ia
barred from Dodge Brothers car because
it is too high priced.
The only question asked, the only proof
demanded, is of its goodness.
When the car was designed, its parts were
charted and chosen according to quality,'
and with a total disregard of price.
That policy still prevails, only it has been
intensified. ,
No source of supply can have too high
a standard for Dodge Brothers nothing
too good can be offered for Dodge
Brothers car.
That policy, plus a process of research,
test, refinement and proof, make for con '
' tinuous progress.
That is why it is still the same car, and
yet a much finer car.
' That is why it is worth more money than
ever, though still sold at the same price.
That is why its value is always growing
greater.
tt wBl b wall worth four whih to examine this ear at the aftoa
MURPHY-O'BRIEN AUTO CO.
1814-18 Farnara Street ' Phone. Tyler 123
SPACE 23, AUTO SHOW
Omaha, Nebraska.
Tawla Car or Roariatar, Maa, 1111
wlat Toum Car or Roadaur, acta
MOTOR STOPS AT
RAILROADCROSSING
Discussion of Existing Dangers
and Plans for Reducing"
Accidents.
DRAFT 07 MODEL LAW
. JlfWWOIW
3S.K,:M?NMIAR .
R. R. McNamar, who has recently
taken over the interests of Gua Bolton
of the Omaha Chandler company, has
made a very careful estimate of the
possibilities in Omaha and its imme
diate vicinity so far as selling motor,
cars in concerned. Mr. McNamar
was very much surprised at the lack
of attention paid to Omaha prospects
for motor cars. In his opinion the
Omaha field has been overlooked to
a considerable extent. The fact, states
Mr. McNamar, that Omaha is prima
rily a wholesale or jobbing point for
automobile! has led a great many of
the dealert to overlook the local ter
ritory in the interest of their whole
sale business. The Chandler, Mr. Mc
Namar feels, should be an excellent
city seller as well aa a car for the
rural districts. The lines of the car
are extremely refined and the appoint
ments designed in tasteful harmony.
With these ideas in mind, Mr. Mc
Namar has decided to make a very
substantial effort in the local field.
When shall an operator of a motor
vehicle be compelled to come to a
full stop at a railroad crossing at
grade? This question was considered
at length in the recent conference at
Washington, participated in by rep
resentatives of the National Associa
tion of Railway Commissioners, the
American Automobile Association
and the American Railway Associa
tion. The meeting had for its purpose
the countrywide adoption of a uni
form system of signals and other
precautionary measures, it being set
forth that "one sign should signify
the same thing everywhere, installed
so as to be in plain view of the
driver of a vehicle and so that it
could be plainly read at night by
automobile headlights.''
Unanimity existed as to the type
of first warning sign to be erected
by city, town or county, and also
that it should be located not less
than 300 feet from a crossing. But
the full stop proposition came in for
much discussion. Osborne I. Yellott,
chairman of the American Automo
bile Legislative Board, thai presents
the contention of the motorists:
"It was recognized by the Amer
ican Automobile association repre
sentatives, who included H. , M.
Rowe, president, that while the num
ber of accidents at grade crossings
was almost infinitesimal! small in
comparison with the number of auch
crossings made safely by motorists
in the course of a year, nevertheless
some steps should be taken to reduce
accidents to the smallest possible de
gree. Two proposition were sug
gested by the spokesman of the rail
roads, the first providing that within
100 feet of the crossing the motor
vehicle should not proceed at a rate
of apeed greater than ten miles an
hour, and the second that the motor
vehicle should be brought to a full
stop not less than ten feet from tha
nearest rail of the crossing.
Meet With Objections.
"The first suggestion was objected
to on the ground that it waa unrea
sonable and would tend to give rise
to the maintenance of obnoxious
speed traps at such crossings, with
resulting inconvenience and injustice
to many motorists who were, in fact,
exercising all proper caution in ap
proaching the crossings in question.
The second was objected to mainly
on the ground that it waa unreason
able to require motorists to stop at
all crossings regardless, tine ia
many instances the tracka in either
direction are visible for such dis
tances aa to make stopping entirely
unnecessary. :-
"It was finally agreed that motorists
should be required to reduce apeed
and proceed cautiously at all cross
ings, ana tnai we ruDiic service cum-,
missions or railroad commissions of.
the several states should have tha
power to determine the crossing at
which it was reasonably necessary
that stops be made; such tun stop
crossings to be designated by appro
priate signs, and the, failure ot a
motorist to stop at such to be prima
facie evidence that he had not pro
ceeded cautiously in : making such
crossing.
"In making this latter concession
the representatives of the motorists
realized that there are some grade
crossings at which ordinary prudence
requires a full stop, and that inasmuch
as conditions vary so much at this
class of crossing it would be better
to leave the determination of snch to
responsible bodies such as Public.
Service commissions."
Speaking for the motorists' organi
zation, Mr. Yellott infers that the full
stop proposal will be combated, ex
cept under the arrangement which he
sets forth. New York Herald.
English Owners Hard Up
For Parts for Machines
British users of American-made au
tomobiles sre in difficulties over the
replacement of parts when damaged
or sufficiently worn to require re
newal, according to the London Tele
graph. The reason is that no Impor
tation of foreign motor car parts Is
permitted except for government ve
hicles. It has been estimated by the
agents of American manufacturers
trading in Great Britain that the
amount of extra parts necessary to be
imported for private owners would be
about 500 tons per annum.
fa 'l 111 II- IMUHH
' s fc'in Jones-Opper Co.
i lipl ' fsT! N.bra.k
MM '"""I
Here We Show
The Full Reo line
TEN REOS to choose from the com
ing year a car for your every
need, including the needs of your
x business.
DOES THAT SOUND flippant? We
assure you we do not mean it so.
Nor is it far-fetched by any means.
IN TRUTH we do not know of any
one who owns one of every Reo ;
' model, but we could name several . ,
" , who own as many as four or more
. Reos of different types.
IT ISNT UNCOMMON to find'
business men who own both 2-Ton
. and X-Ton Reo trucks, and one
or more Reo pleasure cars as well. '
AND IT ISN'T DIFFICULT to
. think of many who might profit
ably own even more of every
model.
ONE THING IS SURE: You find
more Reo models in the same
owner's garage than of any other
make.
THAT'S BECAUSE once a man
owns a Reo he is "sold" on Reo.
quality, Reo dependability, and
Reo low cost of upkeep.
SO WHEN HE DOES need another
car or truck, either smaller or
larger than the one he has, first
thing he does is to find out whether
Reo makes such an one.
"50 PER CENT OVERSIZE" in all
vital parts, the Reo standard fac
tor of safety, is in all Reos look
them over at the show.
LET A REO MAN go over the
stripped "cut out" chassis with
you.. .
THEN YOU'LL KNOW why Reos
are so reliable and so almost un
believably economical in upkeep.
NOT THE CHEAPEST to buy
but the cheapest to own that is
the Reo slogan.
All price are t.'o. i. Laming, Michigan
Reo Motor Car Company
Lanaingv Michigan
A. H. Jones
Hastings, Nebraska
DUtributor South ant ana1
Wasters Nebrmake end
North waa tarn Kjumm.
Space No. 29 Omaha Auto Show.
: I
AHptie t. b. CMtroii
The Una