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).
Lubrication frequency of the universal joint and torque tube sphere.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 31\3\ Scan084 | |
| Date | 15th April 1915 | |
| War/Hy{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer}4/1.15415. Re Instruction Book and lubrication of Universal Joints. X.1457 R.{Sir Henry Royce} 15.4.15. J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} Sometime ago the question arose as to Wa.{Mr Wallis} how often the universal joint and torque tube By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} sphere should be lubricated. Mr Platford was of the opinion that oil ought to be injected every 500 miles, but I contended that this was too frequent and also would be a positive nuisance to the owner of a car. I believe Mr Royce also agreed that it was too frequent. In December last we lubricated the Universal Joint of car No.2300, since when it has run upwards of 2500 miles without any additional oil being added. We have just taken the sphere to pieces and made an examination and find that there is still plenty of oil clinging to all the parts. I think this rather proves that every 2000 miles is quite a short enough period to inject oil to this part. The trouble which the Test Dept. say they have experienced with universal joints seizing must be as I have previously suggested due to bad fitting or alignment of the bushes and not really to lack of lubrication. This is assuming of course that there are no oil leaks at the bolted joint | ||