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).
Wear in the universal joint behind the gearbox for the 40/50 chassis due to insufficient lubrication.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 171\3\ img092 | |
| Date | 5th April 1921 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/LC-5.4.21. WEAR IN UNIVERSAL JOINT BEHIND THE GEAR BOX 40/50 CHASSIS. We are receiving a number of complaints of wear taking place in the universal joint at the back of the gear box. All the information we have been able to obtain so far, shows that the cause of this wear is due to insufficient lubrication. On cars which come in for repair, it is frequently found that this universal joint has had very little oil. We have found that this joint requires more constant lubrication than any other part of the chassis which has to be oiled by hand. It is unfortunate that the position of the oiling plug for this joint is such that it is necessary to crawl underneath the car to get at it. Also unless one knows where it is, it is very difficult to locate. We have had most trouble with this joint on cars which have been running in France. We think this is due to the fact of the cars being run fast for long periods, which causes the oil to be flung out of the joint by centrifugal action. 1.EX Car has been running about for 5 or 6 months with a pipe leading from this joint to the side of the frame so that it is possible to lubricate it by means of a syringe from the outside of the car. It has also been pointed out that the cavities in the arms on the steel sphere will collect a considerable quantity of oil when the joint is revolving. We, therefore, recommend that spinnings are inserted to avoid this. We recommend that we adopt this method of lubrication as standard. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} R.R. 205A (100 T'is H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 708. 19-12-20) G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 4047 | ||