Page:Motors and motor-driving (1902).djvu/249

Rh more points for possible looseness and losses and more to examine and yet be uncertain about. A few pounds in weight will make all the difference between weak and bending untrustworthy parts, and certainty, so far as strength will give it. The second means of providing against accident is frequent minute inspection of every connection, tightening of nuts, renewal of worn pins, assurance that pins cannot leave their place or split pins be lost, and careful oiling and covering of joints so as to prevent ingress of grit and reduce wear as much as possible.

The choice between locked steering gear and what is commonly called direct steering gear is very much a matter of personal choice. The locked gear generally acts through a worm and wheel or quadrant, and remains where it is set by the driver. The free or direct gear moves with the impulse or pressure brought against the steering wheels or one of them by any ruts or obstructions on the road. This movement has to be resisted by the hand of the driver, as it is in some of the steam-cars with lever-steering handle and many of the wheel-steering light cars. An objection to the locked steering gear is that the worm gear rigidly holds the whole of the connections between it and the steering axle. Hence any shock by blow or heavy push at one wheel has to be withstood in all its force by the steering connections. The lever or free gear on the other hand is not rigid. It is accommodating, and the shock on the steering parts is very much lessened, and in many cases eliminated, by very small movement of the steering lever or wheel. The objection to this is that the hand has to accommodate itself to and permit this movement and still preserve the steerage control. If it be resisted the hand and arm feel in a very disagreeable way the effects of the shocks, especially at high speeds on bad roads, and of which the steering gear is relieved. The driver, however, soon learns to keep a loose but ready hand on the steering wheel or lever just as in riding a bicycle or tricycle. On very light and moderate speed cars lever or free-wheel steering gear would seem to be in every way sufficient and quicker in action than the locked gear, and