"Keeping Motor Car Wheels in Alignment"                  December 1936

1. Replace all bent or sprung frame members. Check frame for squareness by
measuring diagonally across corners. The two measurements should be the same if
frame is square. Then tighten all frame nuts and bolts.

2. Carefully block up the frame so all wheels turn freely, without danger of
its falling.

3. Examine tire flanges and replace tires or wheels with badly cut flanges.

4. Drive wheels must be approximately the same size. They can be measured with
a steel tape around the treads, being careful to keep it equi-distant from the
flanges at all points. Sometimes a small difference in their circumferences may
cause a car to run to one side when perfectly aligned. Again another car will
operate satisfactorily with drive wheels showing more variation. Track
conditions, wind, car loading, and windshield may have more or less effect on a
car and result in its running to one side even when in alignment.

5. a. Rotate wheel and axle assembly, and hold a piece of chalk steady so that
it just touches outer face of each wheel. If wheel and axle run true chalk will
mark evenly around wheel - if wheel is sprung or axle bent chalk will mark only
high spot on wheel. Wheels or axles badly out of true usually must be replaced,
though sometimes they can be straightened. A tolerance of 1/32" out of true is
permissible on wheel face, tread, or flange.
   b. Another method of test is with a straight edge or two-foot carpenter's
square across outer wheel face. Mark tire face at each quarter and measure from
square to side will at each quarter turn of wheel. The measurements should be
the same if wheel and axle are true.

6. Axle center distance should be the same on both sides of car. On some cars
axle bearing bolts can be loosened to permit shifting the wheel and axle
assemblies a trifle. On others it may be necessary to replace worn parts, such
as bearing casings and supports.

7. A tolerance of 1/16" over or 1/8" under gauge is permissible. This is easily
measured over the outside faces of wheels. Both axle assemblies must measure
the same to properly align wheels.

   For Fairmont 14", 15", and 20" steel wheels, the measurement should be
62-13/16" when wheels are exactly to 56-1/2" gauge.

8. New insulating bushings are sometimes necessary to bring wheels to gauge.
These must be carefully fitted so whels run true. If loose wheel and loose
wheel bushings are badly worn, both may have to be replaced to secure a close
fitting assembly.

9. With frame approximately centered between all four wheels, set outside faces
of left (unsulated) wheels in line and parallel with axle bearing sill. If
necessary loosen and shift thrust collars to align these wheels. Check with a
straight edge, tight cord, or carpenter's square, being sure distances are both
the same.

10. Next check right side of car where distances should also be equal, and
approximately the same as in section 9 above.

11. Carefully set all thrust collars snugly against axle bearings, being sure
driving lugs engage in slots, when car has slotted bearings. First tighten
clamp bolts, and finally set screws and lock nuts.

12. After thrust collars are set, make another check of wheels to be sure
alignment has not been disturbed.

										From December 1936