The failure of 40/50 axle gears, specifically a 'digging in' issue on the retard side.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\2\ Scan167 | |
| Date | 7th July 1923 | |
| Mr. H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Mr. Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Mr. Bro. Mr. Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Open Hilder Copy. V-3457 EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 6/H.W.7.7.23. re 40/50 Axle Gears failing in customers' hands. "Digging in" We are today returning to the Works axle taken off 37-LK {L. King} (Axle No. R.103) which has developed noisy while in customer's hands, and on inspection confirms the fact that "digging in" has taken place on the retard side. The points for noting in connection with this job are as follows:- 1. The car has only been run since delivery from the Coachbuilders when it was passed as satisfactory, for 200 or 300 miles. 2. When testing the axle at the Works with the customer the axle was not so bad but showed signs of being rather heavy on the retard. 3. On enquiry from the customer we find that the axle had developed noisy suddenly on two occasions, and had gradually improved with running. 4. Enquiries as to the conditions under which this development took place, reveal the fact that the customer had, owing to overheating trouble being experienced during the recent hot weather, done a certain amount of coasting down hill, the engine being stopped by withdrawing the clutch, and at the bottom of the hill the clutch had been engaged. We were given to understand that it was after this had been done that the development took place. 5. This axle went through our old routine of dynamometer test, i.e. prior to our present modification which was considered at that time as being too strenuous (i.e. continuous running full load varying speeds, mainly 1250 revs. per minute) and according to our records this axle was quite satisfactory. I bring this instance forward as it is important we should realise the possibility of similar failures in customers hands, and to make sure that everything possible is being done in the way of manufacture and testing and attention being given to the car while in customers hands to prevent such failures taking place. If you consider anything more can be done than we are doing now, please let me know. EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||
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).