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).
Correspondence regarding a rear axle repair due to lack of oil and a request for replacement oil seals.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\5\ scan0116 | |
| Date | 2nd May 1939 | |
| VAB/HT.2.5.39 - 2 - As the driver is at present in England, we do not know how many times, since the car was new, he has inspected the oil level of the rear axle, or had it inspected. As you are aware, the Instruction Book instructs that the oil level should be inspected every 5000 miles). Should the rear axle have had the necessary periodic inspection, then it would appear that the oil flow rate past the defective o/s oil seal must have been comparatively rapid. It should of course be borne in mind that the oil capacity of the rear axle is 2 pints. There now comes the question of the expense that will be involved in fitting the new gears and a new thrust bearing to the rear axle pinion, which has also suffered owing to lack of oil. We shall be pleased to have your comments as soon as possible. We have promised delivery of the car for next Wednesday morning, the 8th instant. We shall be interested to know whether, since this chassis was built, there has been a modification or an improvement in the oil seals as fitted to later production chassis. Will D/BP. please note that, up to the time of writing, we have not received the remainder of our order Nº 2762 and we are urgently in need of the parts (we have received the gears), especially the two Nº 20616 "Perfect Oil Seals". The parts should be sent by return and by Air Mail, providing you have not already done so. For your guidance, the external diameter of the oil seals needed is 2.060" and the diameter of the axle shafts, where the seal leather makes contact, is 1.375". VA. P.S. We have examined the air vent as fitted to the axle casing and have found it O.K. VA. | ||