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).
Axle noise in car 1-WJ, the replacement of hypoid gears, and a discussion on the effectiveness of Whitmore's Compound lubricant versus ordinary axle oil.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\3\ Scan023 | |
| Date | 18th December 1929 | |
| PN.{Mr Northey}3/WT18.12.29. S/W. from PN.{Mr Northey} Copy to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} AS. 1-WJ. This car is back in our hands to-day and all appears to be well again with the axle. I understand that a new set of hypoids has been fitted, in view of the damage which the original pair of wheels fitted to this gear has in some way suffered. I have asked in my memo (PN.{Mr Northey}1/WT14.12.29) that you will be good enough to let me have particulars of what went wrong and why, with this axle, as soon as they are available. So far I have heard nothing from you. Heckford tells me that at one time during his run to Derby the noise from this was suddenly increased, very greatly, almost alarmingly, and that about a pint of hot ordinary axle oil was put into the axle which had the effect of reducing the noise about 75%. We are in the undesirable position when using hypoid gears that only one description of lubricant i.e. Whitmore Compound can be considered effective, and desirable, showing that all ordinary lubricants normally used for axles do not succeed in enabling hypoid gears to remain quiet and unworn. It would appear therefore that in housing this type of gear there must be a peculiar certainty that the lubricant, of the right sort gets to the working surfaces of the two wheels, and that any tendency in cold weather for cavitation to take place which might prevent effective lubrication may cause undue wear and noise such as has been experienced with 1-WJ. We should be glad to have your remarks on this consideration, because at a time when this gear is becoming standardised throughout our production we feel very nervous about any such point arising. The consideration is sufficiently serious that the special Whitmore's Compound has to be used and cannot necessarily be got in out-of-the-way places although an addition of this lubrication may not be required under 10,000 miles, but if the condition is possible to arise such as I have referred to above, we will be justified in feeling some anxiety. WJ. | ||