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).
Seizure of gears on two Bentley rear axles due to oil shortages and leakage.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\4\ scan0070 | |
| Date | 17th September 1935 | |
| To "By"--Works. Copy to HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Copy to KP. Copy to Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} SR/VA9/JB.17.9.35. Levallois. Re: Seizure of gears on Bentley rear axles. Sr has requested me to report the following to you, as it concerns cars which are practically new. Chassis B-38-EF. Bernot. Mileage 3,900 Kms. Complaint from owner "axle very noisy at 45 M.P.H." Upon examination we find that the gears have picked up on the driving side and are therefore badly scored. For your guidance we attach a copy of a memo VA2/GW.12.9.35. which we sent to Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} upon the matter. Chassis B-169-DK. Van Wasberghe. Mileage 6397 Kms. Complaint from owner "axle noisy at 35 M.P.H." Please find attached a copy of a memo which we have to-day sent to Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} ref: SR/VA7/JB.17.9.35. This car has been in service since about the middle of last July. Upon examination we find that the axle contains only about 1/4 of a litre of oil. We also observed on the above two cars that there has been an oil leakage from the axle box on to the O/S rear brake. Upon reference to the "Chassis Series Cards", we note that commencing with Chassis B-87-DK - that Bentley cars are fitted with a "Rear axle oil seal". It appears to us that the cause of the seizure of the gears on the above two cars has been due to a shortage of oil in the axles. Do you consider that there is sufficient protection on the O/S of the axle to prevent oil from finding its way from the axle box on to the O/S brake mechanism and thereby automatically draining the axle? As you are undoubtedly aware some French roads are heavily cambered. Please find attached a sketch indicating the suggestion of Mr. Chomet our Foreman re: an oil seal for the O/S portion of Bentley axles. With reference to last quarters "quarterly Complaints" Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}8/HR.6.9.35., we note that 43 cars were attended to in six months re: "noisy rear axle gears". As we are very concerned about the failure of gears on the above two cars, we shall be glad to have your views upon the matter [Handwritten note] GRY.{Shadwell Grylls} We still have to show that a badly bedding axle will fail on dynamometer. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||