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).
Analysis of a hypoid axle failure on chassis 1-WJ, due to the separation of Whitmore Compound Oil causing insufficient lubrication.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\3\ Scan028 | |
| Date | 20th December 1929 | |
| To BP. from RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} [crossed out]C. ON.[/crossed out] [crossed out]C. HL.[/crossed out] RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}1/BE20.12.29. Re: Hypoid Axle taken off Chassis 1-WJ. With reference to the hypoid axle which failed on the above chassis. The failure was due to lack of oil which caused the gears to score badly on the teeth. There is a distinct change takes place with the Whitmore Compound Oil. The churning which takes place whilst the axle is in motion causes the oil to separate and a thick jelly substance becomes plastered all over the interior of the axle casing. This continues to build up until there is insufficient fluid oil to lubricate the gears, and unless careful watch is kept on the oil level of axle, car would commence a journey with insufficient oil in the box and bring about the failure referred to. Heckford rather confirms this by the fact that he found it necessary to put half a gallon of oil in the rear axle when he noticed it had become noisy. HL., is analysing the oil, and will report later as to the cause of the change which takes place. We find, in the barrels in which the oil is delivered, there is a separating action takes place and a thick jelly substance collects at the bottom of barrels. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} [Signature] | ||