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).
Mechanical issues encountered with a forward joint, rear axle, and shock dampers during a long-distance run.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\4\ scan0152 | |
| Date | 5th May 1937 | |
| -3- to occur. At approximately 5000 miles, when driving the car off a ferry onto a very steep gradient, the forward sweated sleeve joint sheered together with the taper pins which assist the sweating to secure the joint. With the assistance of many natives and much noise the car was pushed onto level ground, and a temporary repair was effected, by using primus stoves for sweating the joint, and screwdriver shafts and tommy bars for the manufacture of taper pins. Later at Nairobi the joint was re-made and gave no further trouble throughout the run. On the return run across the Sahara desert the forward mechanics joint started to shew signs of wear and subsequently developed a loud knock on taking up the drive and on overrun. Within a mile from the Works at Derby the yoke pins in the forward mechanics joint broke right through and put the transmission out of action. The car was, however, towed back to the Works. REAR AXLE. The rear axle remained free from major troubles throughout the run. No oil was added during the mileage. A very slight oil leak developed from the pinion housing joint and also from the differential box side plate joints, but both these were cured by tightening up the nuts and long bolts that pass right through the casing. SHOCK DAMPERS. Considerable trouble was experienced due to loss of oil from both front and rear dampers. Altogether one gallon of oil was added to the system. It appeared that the chief cause of failure was due to ineffectiveness of the oil retaining glands on the rear dampers. Due to the intense heat the tallow in the packing melted and ran out in the form of thin oil, and left behind the string which of course served no effective purpose. Continual replenishment was necessary to maintain good damping. The oil level in the pressure pump remained constant, and maintained its pressure and effectiveness throughout the run. It was found that the front spring boxes were also loosing considerable quantities of oil, through the breather hole at the top of the boxes. This appears to be due to frothing of the oil in the inside of the boxes, which results in an emulsion of oil and air being forced through the breather holes. The oil level did not, however, get low enough to affect the working of the dampers. After approximately 2000 miles, a clattering developed under the car and was traced to the damper ball connections having worked loose in their mountings. This was apparently due to the 5/16" pinch bolts having stretched and broken under the violent action imposed by the exceptionally hard condition. Following this continued | ||