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).
Failures and wear on various vehicle components including suspension, drivetrain, and exhaust.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\N\July1925-September1925\ Scan215 | |
| Date | 1st September 1925 | |
| R.R. 493A (50 H) (D.D. 31, 12-6-25) J.H.D. EXPERIMENTAL REPORT -7- Expl. No. REF: GWII/Orm1.9.25. Rear road springs and shackle bearings. At 6,004 miles approx. the N.S.R. spring, top and 4th. leaves broke. The top leaf broke 9" from front of centre bolt, and the 4th leaf broke 3 1/4" from front end. This allowed the rear axle to be forced back. The controlling lugs on rear shackle were sheared off, which allowed the brake mechanism on rear axle to foul the petrol tank, but was not sufficient to puncture the tank. A new F.51908 - 900 lbs. spring was fitted. The O.S.R. spring appears to be O.K. from outside examination. The shackle bearings are in good condition. Rear shock absorbers. Considerable wear has taken place in shock absorber links, causing rattles. These have had to be adjusted. The rear shock absorbers feel that they require more friction, the rear springing of the car being too flexible. Wear has taken place in shock absorber Brackets holding shock absorbers to frame are O.K. Propeller shaft. Universal joints appear to be O.K. On one occasion the locking plate for oil retainer on rear end of propeller shaft became unlocked. This was put back into position and has remained O.K. Slight leak of oil from spherical covers at both ends of shaft. The oiling of these has been kept strictly to Derby's recommendation. The amount of leak is not excessive. Side hand brake mechanism. This is in good condition, and has functioned O.K. Electrical fittings. These are O.K. generally. N.S. lamp connection to frame worked loose, and was torn away from the cable and lost. Contact points on electrical cutout are in good condition. Battery ignition has worked satisfactorily. Accumulator suspension. Slight wear has developed in bearings of brackets supporting accumulator box. Otherwise brackets are O.K. Exhaust pipe between exhaust box and silencer. The flange making joint to box broke off half way round during test. A new flange has been made. This pipe warps considerably, and a severe strain is put upon the joint. We would recommend that a spherical joint should be made contd:- | ||