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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).
Investigation into the cause and remedy for a squeaking front spring through various lubrication methods.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 67a\2\  scan0216
Date  15th November 1928
  
X8410
[Stamp: By Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ✓]
[Stamp: Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}]
[Stamp on left margin: RECEIVED 16 NOV 1928]

RE SPRING LUBRICATION

Mx{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}9/T15.11.28.

One of the polished and lanolined front springs that had been covered with wax paper and insulating tape during test developed a bad squeak. The spring was dismantled for examination and found to have local dry places.

The spring was then erected again and fitted to the chassis without lubricating the dry places, further running the chassis it was confirmed that the spring was still squeaking.

An ordinary spring gaiter was then fitted after saturating the felt lining with oil, no oil was put in through the lubricators, and the chassis tried on the road again. The squeak still persisted.

Oil was then put in through the lubricator until it ran out underneath the gaiters. On the road the squeak was still in existence.

The gaiter was then removed, and the spring found to be dry for about 6 inches from the front end, this was the part where the lubrication was required. A piece of extra felt was then soaked in oil and laid underneath the spring, the gaiter was replaced and the car tried on the road. The squeak disappeared after running a few miles.

From this it seems that a re-arrangement of the felt insertion of the gaiters would be beneficial for the front springs.

It would also seem that oil conducted to the right points will work in between the tips of the leaves and overcome squeaking.

We would suggest for the Experimental Dept's consideration a scheme which I believe was on the market some time ago, which consisted of an open wound spiral conduit similar to a Bowden outer cable led from the lubricator along either side of the spring, this is shewn in the diagramatic sketch attached.

The lubricator on present gaiter is not in the best position for lubricating the required portions of the springs - but had to be put where it is for the purposes of clearances.

[Signature]
  
  


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