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).
Design of banjo type rear axles and reviewing a design from a LaSalle car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\1\ scan0001 | |
| Date | 15th April 1935 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Wep. from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Ry. LHC. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} We are looking into the question generally of the design of rear axles and reviving again the possibility of using the banjo type of rear axle casing, with which the Americans achieve very successful results in producing quiet axles. Personally I have always felt that this type of axle, in which the bevel drive is arranged as a unit independent of the axle casing, has special advantages from the point of view of producing quiet axles, and special conveniences from the point of view of ease of production, assembly, etc. On page 412 of Automotive Industries March 23rd 1935 is shown what appears to be the latest La{L. A. Archer} Salle practice. In this design the gear unit appears to be of very cobby and rigid construction. The bevel pinion although overhung is carried on an extremely rigid shaft. The crown wheel is carried also on a mounting having unusual rigidity, which is accentuated by the method of arranging the bearings the reverse way to normal practice, the outer races being in the differential housing, and the inner being carried by extension pieces clamped in the bevel housing. The banjo casing itself appears to be re-enforced in the centre by building in a complete pressing forming the centre portion of the axle, there being no detachable rear cover. The drive shafts are arranged for insertion through spring leather oil seals of the type we are using, and the ball bearings for carrying the road wheel ends of these shafts appear to be of the self-sealing grease packed type. There appears to be some scheme also for adjusting both the position of the bevel pinion and the crown wheel. The absence of a nose bearing for the pinion is not disturbing in view of the rigidity of the pinion shaft, and the fact that such bearings usually have to be small and inadequate to get them in. On the whole I think this La{L. A. Archer} Salle axle is a very good job, and the best design of semi-floating banjo type yet seen. | ||