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).
Investigation into stub axle fractures and proposing potential design improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 2\B002_X168\ 00000001-page036 | |
| Date | 25th May 1912 | |
| From F.H.R. Copies sent to: Mr. Johnson, Mr. Wormald, Mr. Spinney. Re Stub Axle Fractures. Mr. Hives has done very well indeed testing to reproduce the fracture which his report shows can be produced by road shocks and since we can now produce an equivalent shock and fracture we can find out if an alteration will prevent it. It is a remarkable feature that we have been making this axle for five or six years before this appears, and then it appears on the modern cars, this can only be accounted for by the higher speed or rougher use to which they are now subjected or to less good materials. I have asked Waldron if he has seen many cars on the road disabled. He says that within a year he has seen two, a Panhard and Argyle, stub axle break. I heard of a Crossley having 3 or 5 stub axle breaks in one tour. We appear to be stronger than Napiers and many others, but evidently must be stronger or avoid some stress, if possible, by other means. I am pressing Works for:- (1) Stronger present one (reinforced section). (2) Improved design to fit present axles (lower stub). (b) Improved design to fit new axles (shorter joint). Also experiment to ascertain if buffers in the cross tubes will allow us to take lumps with less stress. This will enable us to determine a policy. In the meantime as your telegram suggests "if cars are subjected to rough road conditions, chauffeurs should regularly examine the lower part of the stub axle joint" - fortunately it is in a conspicuous position. (3) would be special for wire wheels only i.e. future standard. F.H.R. (a) Dare we publish this in a notice to the drivers. My impression is that any car can be smashed up with brutal use on brutal roads. F.H.R. [Handwritten]: W. Wormald x168 [Stamped]: WORKS RECEIVED 25 MAY 1912 | ||