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 to M. Wilks of Rover Company Ltd. regarding the use and design of axle breathers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 127\3\ scan0175 | |
| Date | 26th January 1937 | |
| 1091 (Experimental Dept.) Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gryl/R.{Sir Henry Royce} 26th January, 1937. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Wilks, Esq., The Rover Company Ltd., New Meteor Works, C O V E N T R Y. Dear Wilks, Thank you for your letter of the 23rd. With regard to the axle breathers, I am sending you one of these which we have used on all our cars for several years. It works in both directions, and is very good from the non-spilling point of view. Its origin was to prevent leaks past the pinion bearing. We did not use oil seals until about three years ago owing to our built up axle construction. We are able to fit the seals on either side of the centre case. They, therefore, always have a supply of oil to prevent them from becoming dry. We think they would soon cease to work if at any time they became dry; for this reason we have always been against having the seals in the hubs. It would appear that in this position they would not be lubricated unless the car is subjected to violent cornering. I am afraid I cannot tell you whether this breather gives the seals any less work to do. Yours sincerely, | ||