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).
Potential improvements for new semi-floating axles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\1\ scan0273 | |
| Date | 27th January 1940 | |
| 1015 To Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/MH.{M. Huckerby}27.1.40. I had a discussion with Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} about the potential improvements which were available for the new semi-floating axles we are proposing to build. The improvements available are as follows:- (1) Overhung pinion. (2) Strengthened centre case. The strengthened centre case alters the bolt centres. Obviously we do not want two lots of bolt centres on the rationalised axle. My idea is to standardise the new bolt centres and have two castings, one lighter than the other. The heavier casting will be standardised on 10'10" wheelbase cars and over, the lighter one on 10'4" wheelbase cars and below. An alternative would be to have aluminium castings on the big cars and magnesium on the small ones. I suggest that we immediately instruct one of the new type centre cases in magnesium and one in aluminium for test while we consider other alternatives. (3) Sealed wheel bearings. Apparently Hoffmanns have agreed to make us sealed wheel bearings for the 45 mm. half shafts at a quite modest figure. We can afford to pay 2/- more for sealed wheel bearings than for the others because they enable us to throw away some oil seals. (4) Two types of half shaft. The 45 mm. for big cars and the 1.531 half shaft for small cars. (5) All axle tubes should have the welded spring seats. Though they are .4 carbon we understand the Ford axle is the same material and welds quite satisfactorily. | ||