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).
Causes of tooth-surface breakdown in hypoid rear axles, suspecting cavitation in cold weather.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 136\5\ scan0220 | |
| Date | 29th January 1930 | |
| S/W. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}.. From PN.{Mr Northey} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} +2066 PN.{Mr Northey}2/WT29.1.30. +7960 12066 OIL FOR HYPOID REAR AXLES. I have received your Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}9/T28.1.30. on this matter. Yes, you did tell me all you knew about the trouble with this axle some time ago, but you will remember that when writing last on this subject you had no sort of explanation to offer, and we have been anxiously waiting to hear more. The fact that you are able to take the view which I am not doubting the wisdom of, that the trouble which caused the break-down of the tooth-surfaces was undoubtedly caused by absence of lubricant, confirms what I already felt about this, and adds to the troublesome nature of the complaint generally, because this car has all the time been in the hands of two of our most highly trained and skilled driver mechanics, who, in no circumstances would have allowed the level of the oil in the axle to become too low. It therefore, would appear that probably in cold weather it may be quite possible for the lubricants not to reach the teeth of the pinion and crown wheel due to cavitation. If this is the case, it is peculiar that we have not met other examples of it in our own work, also there is nothing new in the use of hypoid gears, I understand that American manufacturers have used this gear for two or three years, so the trouble, whatever it may be, could hardly be looked upon as being extensive, as I am sure you will agree it would be highly satisfactory if we could have actually traced how it arose with the axle in question. PN.{Mr Northey} | ||