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).
Failure of a Phantom front axle during a bumping test and the subsequent modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 119\2\ scan0291 | |
| Date | 1st July 1926 | |
| To OY. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 48772 Hsl/LG6. 7. 26. PHANTOM FRONT AXLE. XS420 We despatched to you last week one of the new axles complete with brakes. We are modifying the axle forging because we had an axle crack through the top flange where the window is cut in for the lever, after 75 hrs. on the bumping test. 75 hrs. is a very good life on the bumping test because during that time numerous other parts failed. The fact however that the axle failed at an obviously weak section, we are not taking any risks and are altering the forging. We have asked BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} to send on to you the modification. Apart from this, the experience we have had with the axle is that it is very satisfactory and gives us a definitely lighter steering. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||