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).
Investigation report into a universal joint failure on a PH.II Chassis after a customer complaint of noise in the transmission.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 15\4\ Scan094 | |
| Date | 20th July 1934 | |
| v7340 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} o.Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} MxS/T20.7.34. PH.II CHASSIS - UNIVERSAL JOINT. 141-RY - Mr.Wall, Sutton Coldfield. -------------------- This owner complained of noise in transmission on the above car which has recently been delivered and has only run 450 miles. The car was brought back to the Works by a Repair Dept. tester and investigation revealed that one of the driving pins in the rear universal joint had broken off. The failure was the result of the joint seizing up due apparently to lack of lubrication. We are confident that the joint was properly lubricated when the chassis left here, and we believe the oil has been thrown out of the joint due to it being strained. This condition we believe can occur on a car fitted with low rated springs and controllable shock dampers, if the car is driven with the damping in the minimum position at high speeds, the angularity of the propeller shaft is such that the joint can be strained. This fact was reported on by Mr Hancock on the 10,000 miles test on 23-EX on 23.4.34, and as a result of this, a modification was instructed by the Experimental Dept. to give increased range to the rear universal joint. 141-RY on which the failure has occurred is fitted with low rated springs and controllable shock dampers and was despatched from the Works as a Chassis on 29th March 1934 i.e. a month before Hancocks report on the matter. It will be seen therefore that the modifications to increase the range could not apply to this car, and it is not quite clear that the modification has been applied as yet to the present production, and apparently does not take effect until the needle joint propeller shaft is in production. In view of the failure which has occurred, will you please give the matter your consideration. Will Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} please send the broken parts to BY for examination. | ||