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).
Spring gaiter fouling issues on the 20 HP chassis and potential lubrication solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 106\1\ scan0158 | |
| Date | 28th May 1929 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gy. c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X5410 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gy1/LG28.5.29. SPRING GAITERS. X3745 The fact of lowering the 20 HP. chassis 1/2" has brought us back to a previous trouble we have had in connection with spring gaiters. The rear Enots fitting on the front spring gaiter fouls the beading of the engine tray on max. bump. We understand BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} has already reduced the height of this elbow to the min. possible, and that any alteration to the gaiters is not feasible. Provided the spring action was of regular arc for specific displacements from normal loading, we could move the fitting further backwards on the gaiter until it practically reached the rear 'U' clamp, when it should clear. We know, however, that spring action is not perfectly regular and we do not recommend this course. On enquiry we find that both the Test and Repair Depts. are agreed that the value of nipples on spring gaiters is problematical. We know that spring squeaks are, in effect, independent of, and barely affected by such lubrication. Our own experience goes to support this. Hence, we should say that for 'O' series these fittings may be deleted. We wish, of course, to run a 20 HP. car in France with a scheme for lubricating the springs from the central lubrication, and as soon as we can to issue standardisation sheets. The recent 10,000 miles test S.S. on which such a scheme was fitted was entirely successful in respect to this point, and we shall be issuing std. sheets shortly. Cadmium plated springs are now fitted as standard, so meanwhile we advise that 'O' series have springs lubricated with grease packed in the gaiters, and later on these springs may be modified to take oil from the central lubrication. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/F.Gaye. | ||