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).
Customer complaint of a knock in a Bentley rear axle, found to be caused by two bent driving shafts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 131\2\ scan0235 | |
| Date | 12th July 1938 | |
| 1113 To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} c. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}8/N.12.7.38. Bentley Chassis B.15.HM{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} - Vandervell. Mileage 17,852. The above customer complained of a knock in the rear axle. After some time it was found that the knock came from the differential. Upon dismantling, the two driving shafts were found bent. They appear to have been subjected to a severe torsional strain. When the rear axle was last stripped down, the shafts were quite O.K. and since this date 4000 miles have been completed. One shaft has gone close up to the neck of the pinion whilst the other is bowed in the centre. We have sent the two shafts up for your inspection, and we shall be pleased to have your views. The axle tube and box checked appeared to be alright. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} [Handwritten annotations] APH FJH{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} Please follow up GWG | ||