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).
Catastrophic differential failure on a car in France, detailing the damage and arranging for a replacement axle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\1\ scan0113 | |
| Date | 11th April 1933 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From G.W.H. E Secry X4153a By seen By Hotel de France. Chateauroux. Indre. 11.4.33 BENSPORT We have received the telegram: PLEASE BRING SPARE BENSPORT DYNAMO BACK WITH CAR - ROYCAR - - - - - - - - - - We have sent you the following telegram: DIFFERENTIAL WRECKED IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE CAR NEW AXLE REQUIRED - HANCOCK - - - - - - - - - - The car resumed its mileage yesterday and after completing 448 miles the differential in the rear axle failed. This was first heard when reversing, a tooth of either the shaft sprocket or a star wheel tooth had broken off. It was found that the differential was not working. The car was 52 miles from here but they managed to return at a medium speed. On all bends there was a cracking noise made by more teeth being broken off. We dismantled the axle last night, and found all the star wheels in a terrible mess, practically all the teeth are stripped off, bronze washers chewed up. There are two teeth broken on the sprocket wheels of the driving shafts. The crown wheel is practically undamaged, the pinion wheel has slight marks on the teeth and the ball race is damaged by the broken metal. The differential case is cut and knocked about by the broken teeth. the aluminium box is also damaged. It is not a practical job to try and patch it up with new parts. We would advise that we all return as arranged and bring out a new axle with 18.G.IV. The car can then be returned. GWHancock. G.W.H. [STAMP: RECEIVED 13 APR 1933] [STAMP: RECEIVED 18 APR 1933] | ||