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).
Inspection report on brake, suspension, and steering components, noting issues with front dampers and lubrication systems.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\2January1929-June1929\ Scan012 | |
| Date | 1st January 1929 guessed | |
| -5- the drums were covered with black powder. There was no sign of any water having entered the drums. The lubrication of the toggle shafts appeared to be quite O.K. It was necessary to adjust the brakes 1 notch of the mechanical adjustment. We could not discern any wear in the pivot bearings. These appeared to be in good condition. There was ample lubrication, the oil showing top and bottom of the bearings. FROBS SPRINGS AND FITTINGS TO L.O.P. F 79626 N.S. 2567 2697. CADMIUM-PLATED. Upon examination there was no fracture discernable on any of the leaves of the springs. The lubrication of shackles was O.K. FRONT AXLE CONTROL DAMPERS TO L.O.P. F 79507 N.S. 2635. ANCHORAGE FOR FRONT AXLE CONTROL DAMPERS TO L.O.P. F 79517 N.S. 2663. The loading of the front axle dampers is quite satisfactory for conditions over here. The front of the car has ridden very steady. There has been no occasion of the buffers hitting the axle hard. We have had the casing of the two front dampers break. This was fully expected before leaving Derby, and new dampers were promised as soon as the manufacture of these could be made in a different alloy. The anchorage bearing of the n/s shock damper has given considerable trouble, the bearings having worn very much which caused bad knocking at this point. The lubrication of this has not been good, the Bijur lubricator not passing sufficient oil. This has had to be attended to. There is also no oil getting to the ball ends on n/s and o/s. The oiling scheme for these ball ends does not appear to be good, they rely upon the oil escaping from the anchorage bearing going up the tube to the ball ends. This is almost impossible with the present design. We should strongly advocate returning to the oiling of the ball ends by a pipe leading along the damper arm, as was used on I2-EX. We found that the Bijur lubricating pipe where attached to the banjo supplying the n/s pivot, the soldered joint had broken away. [Handwritten note: Oil filling] STEERING COLUMN & BOX E TYPE TO L.O.P. F 79831 L.F. 1155 N.S. 2570 2636 2574 2569 2737. 720 LEAD WORM & NUT F 79620 F 78250 SPECIAL WORM & TUBE F 79622 F 79345 ASSEMBLED AS SHOWN ON DRG. EX 3519. There does not appear to be any faults with the design of this. We have had no loss of oil from the box. Steering has been free and no tightening up has been noticed. We had on one occasion approximately half way through the test the pendulum lever work loose to the extent of 3/4 of a turn of the nut. This has not since showed any further sign of becoming loose? The lubrication of the pendulum lever bearing and ball end appears to be ample. It was necessary to adjust the thrust of the steering column once during the mileage. The increased size of the steering wheel and the less diameter of the rim is a distinct improvement. The controls, klaxon button, have been free from any rattles. The anchorage of the steering column to the dashboard appears to be satisfactory. The column is kept very steady. | ||