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).
Oil leak from the steel sphere on 40/50 models and a recommended diagnostic test.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 15\4\ Scan017 | |
| Date | 28th November 1928 | |
| Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} X7340 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/LG28.11.28. EXCESSIVE WEAR ON 40/50 SPHERES. 48340 The only way we can account for the fact that we on our tests have proved that the joint will hold oil, and customers results prove that the oil disappears, is that on customers cars the oil is leaking through the steel sphere. We have known cases of this. We would therefore recommend that you make a special test on the next car on which you have the complaint. The steel sphere should be bolted in position on the car and then paraffin should be poured in and see whether it leaks. It is necessary to do this test on the car because it may happen that the sphere is stretched apart on the car. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||