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).
Pivot failure during a 15,000-mile test and the subsequent performance of a replacement axle and leaf springs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\3\ scan0276 | |
| Date | 13th May 1935 | |
| troop To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}9/KW.13.5.35. 15,000 Miles Test - 5-B-IV. You will see from Hancock's daily report of the 8th & 9th that he is held up due to having had a pivot failure. After he twisted the standard axle fitted with the 14" brake drums, he sent it back to us for examination and continued running on an axle with 4º transverse pivot lean, which had been left in France after the previous 15,000 miles test. This axle has done about 30,000 miles. We do not know how the pivot compares with the standard pivot, but the parts are being sent back for our examination. It will be noticed that he has got better results with the thick leaf springs by increasing the damper loads, which tends to confirm our view that the trouble previously experienced was due to loss of inter-leaf friction. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||