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).
Letter reporting a broken front axle on a car during testing in France, with a handwritten note requesting comparison parts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\3\ scan0251 | |
| Date | 9th May 1935 | |
| Handwritten Note: R.H.P. xroo a Have we got any 4° transverse lean pivots about fully machined that we could compare with standard. This looks rather serious? To. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From G.W.H. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Typed Letter: HOTEL DE FRANCE CHATEAUROUX. Indre. France. 9th May 1935. 5 B IV. We telephoned you this morning asking for a complete front axle. We also sent the following telegram. " SEND N. S. BRAKE DRUM WITH AXLE. " The near side stub Axle broke off close to the flange, during the mileage yesterday afternoon. This happened as the Car was turning a corner, and fortunately the speed of the Car had been considerably reduced for the corner, consequently there was no severe drop and very little damage done. We have not as yet got the Car back, as it is sixty miles away at a place called Guéret. The Car was lifted up and towed into a garage there; I telephoned Paris for an Axle, but they are absolutely out of them. I therefore arranged with Sr, to take an Axle off a customer's Car. This is now on its way down here. We are going to fit it to our Car just to get it here, then send the Axle back again. A.B. Roberts tells me that the fracture of the stub Axle showed a crack approximately one third of the diametre just behind the rear ball race. We will give you further information if any, after we get the Car back. The Axle has run approximately 30.000 miles (4° Transverse). GWHancock G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} W. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} | ||