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).
Test report on the lubrication and wear of an American Mechanics Joint fitted to a 20 HP car's propeller shaft over 14,215 miles.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\P\October1926-November1926\ Scan088 | |
| Date | 9th November 1926 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL. ORIGINAL HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL/T9.11.26. c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Rg.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Cy. 25320 AMERICAN MECHANICS JOINT. X4183 We have run a 20 HP. car (9-GIII) with the propeller shaft fitted with American Mechanics Joint to G.5263. The joints were fitted up filled with gear oil and have not been lubricated during service. After 1623 miles the cardan shaft was dismantled and the joints examined. No appreciable wear had taken place and no oil had been lost except for a small quantity from the sliding serrated sleeve. After examination the joints were re-erected and have run a further 12,592 miles without extra lubrication. Upon second examination it was found that no oil had been lost from the joints themselves, but no surplus oil was found in the sliding sleeve. The serrated surfaces, however, still maintained a film of oil and were in perfect condition. Very little wear had taken place in the joints themselves. Although the brushes individually were slightly slack on their pins, no slack could be detected when built up as a unit. The total mileage run up to the present without other lubrication than that supplied upon erection is 14,215. This performance shews up the superiority of this type of joint over the present standard type. Contd. | ||