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).
Rear axle noise on vehicle 1-WJ due to lubricant failure and a request for further diagnostic information.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\3\ Scan033 | |
| Date | 31th December 1929 | |
| To BM. from Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} C. to Ss.{S. Smith} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} YP. Mac.{Mr Macintosh} RHO. ML. x7960 Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}2/T.31.12.29. Re 1-WJ. Noise developed in Rear Axle. There is no doubt that the noise which developed in the rear axle of 1-WJ was due to the breaking down of the tooth surfaces of the Hypoid Gears, thus causing wear and making the contact surfaces rough and scored. This does not occur if a correct supply of the proper lubricant is in the axle box, and the crown wheel dips into it. From an examination of the axle and the evidence we have, it is apparent that the gear has been run without a proper supply of lubricant reaching the teeth. In order to obtain further information to help us to decide how to avoid a recurrence of the trouble, we should like the following information regarding 1-WJ. (1) Miles run before failure. (2) Has any oil been added to axle since leaving Works, and if so, how much and what kind of oil? (3) Was oil level checked when noise developed? (4) Has oil level been checked at other times and with what results? It would also be useful if you can have checked up the oil level in your other Phantom II cars, both in warm condition and cold condition, and give us the results. There is a possibility that an excess of oil may have to be inserted on chassis when new, so as to leave sufficient in the axle box after all the inside surfaces of the casing and axle tubes have become permanently coated with the heavier constituents of the Whitmore Compound. We are experimenting with various compounds of lubricants continually, and at the present moment we have an oil compounded by Prices, which is very promising, and we believe that we shall eventually arrive at a result which will give more consistency than Whitmore's Compound. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} | ||