accident, but that even when the breakage is only partial it will cause the steering gear connections to become inactive or be moved with difficulty, and this is very likely to lead to disaster.
Axles.—In all modern motor-cars, with one exception, the front or steering axle is, as to the greater part of it, a fixture to the spring and frame, just as is the hind axle of a brougham. The ends only of these axles move for steering, namely the part which is in the wheel and a short piece which is jointed to the fixed part of the axle. The most common form is as sketched in figs, 1 and 2, which are a side elevation and plan of one end
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Figs, 1 and 2.—Typical Ackerman Steering Axle
of a steering axle. In these a is the fixed part of the axle, b the pad upon which the spring is fixed, c the forked end of the fixed axle, and d the movable part pivoted at e in the fork on the pin f, the head of which carries a lubricator at g for supplying oil or grease to the pin. On the part e of the pivoted axle is an arm h, by which through a connecting-rod j, actuated by connections with the steering handle or wheel, the axle d is moved to any angle for steering, as indicated by dotted lines. All the pins and nuts on these connecting-rods and arms need the most careful attention, and frequent
