From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Instructions for lubricating car bearings using an ALEMITE compressor and grease.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 76\4\ scan0287 | |
| Date | 11th May 1921 guessed | |
| as this does not receive lubricant from the compressor and should be kept free from dirt and well lubricated. The head may now be replaced on the cylinder and screwed down—tightening by hand only. Replace hose by screwing large swivel on lower end of compressor. To Lubricate Bearings The ALEMITE compressor holds sufficient grease to thoroughly lubricate your car (aside from universal joints) two or more times. This should be done frequently, depending upon use, road conditions, etc. Ordinarily if you spend from twenty to thirty minutes once a week it will be kept thoroughly lubricated, and the parts equipped with ALEMITE will easily last the life of the car. See that fittings on lubricating points are wiped free from dust and dirt. When standard dust caps (F & H) are used no cleaning is necessary. Press hose coupling (G) over fitting and turn slightly to the right. This locks the coupling so that it cannot be pulled off until released by hand. Give compressor handle a few turns until old grease oozes out from bearings. This assures you that fresh grease has been forced through the contact points. [Image labels: G, DUST CAP F, I, DUST CAP H] Use hands only in operating compressor. This gives you over 500 lbs. pressure to the square inch. When a tight shackle bolt is encountered the bearing can often be opened up by placing a jack under the chassis and raising the car from four to six inches, thereby taking the weight off of the spring. Then by tapping the end of the bolt with a hammer, at the same time using compressor, the old caked grease is loosened up. In the event that this operation does not put the grease through, loosen the nut on the bolt and twist bolt in the bearing, at the same time applying pressure with the compressor. It is sometimes even necessary to take bearings apart and clean them before proper lubrication can be given. Bearings of this nature are found only on old cars, and when grease is once forced through it is thereafter easy to lubricate with ALEMITE. Before disconnecting coupling (G) always relieve pressure by turning handle in the reverse direction until pressure is reduced to nothing and handle turns freely. Coupling can then be easily disconnected by a slight twist to the left. Do not use pliers to disconnect coupling. | ||