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).
Internal memorandum regarding an axle hum issue caused by incorrect lubrication, and the importance of standardising oils.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\2\ Scan218 | |
| Date | 13th February 1930 | |
| W/B H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} c. Hw. c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} AJL X4117. EF16/H13.2.30. We want to standardize alternative oils HJF re. 52-WJ. Mitchell. With reference to your H12/LH{Mr Haworth}12.2.30, we have not seen a copy of MK6/RK6.2.30. but understand from the Repair Dept. who are apparently dealing with this job, that the driver reported a hum developing in the axle. We also understand that he was unable to get Whitmore's Compound in the first place, and he had "topped up" the axle with ordinary oil. He had later been able to obtain Whitmore's Compound and the hum has improved. We suggest this is a case where the axle has temporarily been run short of oil, and it certainly appears that the question of keeping the axle level well "topped up" is of vital importance. The question of obtaining more satisfactory lubrication of the axle, however, is now having the attention of the Experimental Dept. As far as our present output is concerned, we are making doubly sure that the oil level is maintained when cars are being finally delivered and we feel that the question of maintaining correct oil level and more frequent inspection of this level is a feature which the Inspection Dept. should bring to the attention of the owners and drivers. Will Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} please note this is the second case of this complaint. We trust that the question of lubrication improvement will be pushed. We do not think there is any action to be taken on this car unless we hear from the owner or driver that the hum has developed worse. No doubt MK.{R. E. B. Meade-King} will keep in touch with them. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||