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).
Shock damper failures, repairs, and oil leaks on a Bentley III vehicle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 97\4\ scan0102 | |
| Date | 31th October 1938 | |
| 400b To. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} CHATEAUROUX. 2/.31.10.38. 8.B.V.- BENTLEY III. We thank you for your memo Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}II/MH.{M. Huckerby}28.10.38. re shock dampers with print SOD.830 enclosed, also for the new replenishing valves. The N.S.F. damper failed completely yesterday with a broken connecting link FB.3409. We have dismantled both dampers and found the SOD.830 valves to be practically stuck on both the inner and outer bearing surfaces of the floating bronze sleeve. The cause appeared to be dirt in addition to the binding due to this type of leak to which you refer. We enclose sample of the flaky scale found in the valve which we suggest, is off the main damper casting. We have soldered up these leak holes and fitted the new refill valves, and will run single acting on the nearside until the new connecting link arrives which we to-day telegraphed for. Thank you for the new rear damper link rubbers which will keep us running. We have found a further source of oil leaks onto the rear brakes. This is from the joint where oil excluders are rivetted on to the axle tube flanges, as shown in sketch. These should be sweated on assembly. We have tried to sweat ours up, but there is too much oil and dirt already in the joint and the solder will not run. We also recommend that the drain holes be enlarged. Small quantities of oil continued to creep round the bearing housing from the oil seals, but there are no oil leaks from axle tube flanges. [Diagram showing a cross-section of an axle flange] DRAIN HOLES OIL LEAKS HERE. SAMPLES OF SCALE ON REVERSE SIDE. | ||