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).
Findings on semi-floating rear axles following a visit to Rover.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\1\ scan0136 | |
| Date | 25th May 1938 | |
| 1015 To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Hdy.{William Hardy} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}1/MH.{M. Huckerby}25.5.38. SEMI-FLOATING REAR AXLES. We discovered during a visit to Rovers yesterday, various points in connection with rear axles. (1) They have not had a bending failure outside the bearing since they adopted the upset end. (2) They still get occasional torsional failures to over-come which they are stiffening the splined end and eliminating the thread half way along the shaft. (3) The Scottish Stamping Co. are obtaining and will have in production use by September, the latest American taper rolling plant. They will be supplying Rovers with shafts so made in SAE.4140 material. (4) When they have discovered the limits of interference fit for the wheel bearing retaining sleeve and how best to assemble it they will let us know. (5) Skefco are making for them in England, a New Departure type sealed bearing. Judging by the results on Wraith we think a New Departure bearing would be less likely to squeak than separate seals which have given considerable trouble on the first two Wraith cars having the early type axle shaft. In neither case can the bearing be lubricated. We would like Hdy{William Hardy}'s views on this. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||