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).
Unlubricated universal joint on a 20-HP chassis, quoting a report on lubrication schedules and wear.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 105\2\ scan0088 | |
| Date | 5th July 1923 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X4254 EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}/Thn7/H5.7.23. re. LUBRICATION OF UNIVERSAL JOINT. 20-HP CHASSIS. You will remember that we have brought to your notice recently the question of lubrication of the universal joint, in connection with one of the London Trials Cars, 40-G-5 on which we found during attention to the chassis at the Works that the universal joint was in an unlubricated condition. We now give below extract of memorandum received from PN{Mr Northey} on this matter:- "I certainly am very much disturbed to realise that under the conditions of service in London, the propellor shaft joints have shewn evidence of wear and tear and have been found to be "dry". I give you below particulars of the periods of lubrication of the propellor shaft joints and springs, from which you will note that although owing apparently to the stress under which this car had to be used at certain times, such lubrication was not carried out every 500 miles, no period elapsed of longer than 1,000 miles before this was done, and on occasions the lubrication of these parts was attended to at a very much shorter period than 500 miles. It is difficult to understand how the propellor shaft joints should become "dry", unless either the lubricant has become slung out in service or failed to get to the wearing parts from the lubricator - in either case, of course bad features in design. Am I right in believing that the car being tested in France and driven by the "mugs" was run upwards of 1500 miles one one week's service before the propellor joints were lubricated. We shall in future certainly watch the lubrication of these parts very closely. The driver of 40-G-5 reports that the springs and propellor joints were oiled on the following dates and at the following mileages:- Feb.10th. 2712 miles. April 10th. 5074 Miles. " 19th. 3026 " " 20th. 5368 " Mar. 6th. 3856 " May 9th. 5736 " " 23rd. 4254 " June 6th. 6715 " " EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}/Thn. | ||