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 axle and gear failures and outlining future testing plans.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\1\ scan0147 | |
| Date | 19th August 1938 | |
| -2- (2) 6 tons would not not shift the retaining collar which was, therefore, not disturbed. (3) The gears had picked up slightly more, the wheel being worse than the pinion. (4) The 3 row pinion bearing was in 100% condition, except that the cages had slightly scored the shoulders of the thrust inner races. (5) The A.O.2. diff. washers were scuffed and worn. (6) The outer track of the crown wheel bearing was heavily marked, and there was a small piece out of the track surface in the middle of the loaded side. (7) The half shaft bevel outer diameter had scored the diff. box on one side; the other had red figet markings on its outside diameter bearing surface. The axle has been re-built for more running. The oil used was Vacuum 50B, which is the latest American hypoid lubricant. To overcome the crown wheel bearing failure, we are going to try Timken bearings. As we have found that .003 preload of the diff. bearings means a load of 800 lbs, all of which vanishes when hot, Belleville washers are being provided behind one of the bearings, so that the preload shall not vary with temperature. As bronze washers cannot be used with a hypoid oil and aluminium tin has failed, we shall try hard steel. To investigate the gear tooth failure we have had a new pair of gears bedded to touch in the middle of the teeth. These have been copper plated and will be run to see which way the bedding moves under load. The axle which goes to France on SEV will test:- (1) 40 mm half shafts in SAE 4140 material. (2) Timken crown wheel bearings. (3) Stiffer driving flange FD.{Frank Dodd - Bodies}197. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||