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).
Braking trouble on Bentley cars due to melting grease causing oil leaks.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\2\ scan0044 | |
| Date | 8th July 1933 | |
| To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} C. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} C. Slt. We have recently experienced trouble with the Bentley brakes when stopping from high speeds. We think that this is partially due to the melting of grease out of the hubs of the rear brakes. Once having melted the grease this blocks up the drain hole, and then oil which may leak out of the axle continues to spoil the brakes. We know that from time to time precautions have been taken to see that too much grease is not put in the hubs, but as a result of our experience, we actually saw the amount of grease which is inserted in the hubs in the Works, and feel convinced that this is sufficient to cause trouble. We actually think that if the ball races only were packed with grease this would give all the lubrication required. We should be glad if you would investigate the matter as owing to the violent use of the brakes on the Bentley the trouble will certainly be more acute than on our other cars. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} | ||