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).
Widespread oil leakage from rear axles, proposing an efficient breather as a solution.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 2\6\ B002_X 140 141 157-page096 | |
| Date | 12th February 1927 | |
| COPY. Re Rear Axles. Will you kindly note that 90% of our axles leak very badly at the Road Wheels. The results are that the wheels, wings, and rear portion of the body gets covered with oil and this on a light coloured car is very bad. I might also add that the tyres get a good share of it. In our Instruction Book - French Edition - page 24, we advise the level of oil in the Rear Axle to come to the plug for filling purposes. But as the Axle will hold 5 litres before reaching the plug, the fact that I have known our axle to leak with not a quart of Prices Gear Oil (B) in the axle seems to the answer which we generally give to drivers or owners that their axle has been over filled, and that in consequence the leak at the wheels. It appears to me that what is wanted is an efficient breather fitted to the top of the axle casing. This breather would let out the hot air which naturally exists under pressure after the axle has been run for some time. The air compressed will find its way out and naturally chooses the weakest point, viz: the Differential Shafts along the axle tube etc. This complaint exists more in France than in England due no doubt to longer runs and faster runs being made. Anyhow something should be done to cure this constant complaint. sgd. W.W.Parsons. | ||