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).
Investigation into a Marles type steering box failure, detailing damage found and requesting information for reassembly.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 101\1\ scan0295 | |
| Date | 17th June 1936 | |
| Copies sent to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} & By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} X500a HOTEL DE FRANCE, CHATEAUROUX, Indre. France. GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/IMW{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux}/G/JAB. 17th June 1936. To. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 22. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} V.{VIENNA} We have dismantled the Marles type Steering Box to ascertain the cause of the steering jamming. It was found that one ball bearing had fractured in the cam-roller rear race. All the ball races carrying the roller are pitted by the balls. The other parts do not appear to have suffered any damage although there was a certain amount of metallic dust present in the oil. A sketch is enclosed indicating the damage found. The Steering Box was completely dismantled following the accident of the 24.4.36 and it was then found that the nut shown on the sketch was only finger tight. This was tightened up and it was then found that the cam-roller felt slightly rough in some positions. It was not considered unduly bad and was assembled like this. It should be added however, that if the nut is done up very tightly it will nip the races on account of the spring in the fork, and the fact that there is .020" clearance on the distance piece between the races. We understand that G.W.H. has communicated with you and we are awaiting new parts. We should appreciate any special information you can give us regarding fitting up the box and obtaining the necessary pre-loading. ---------- GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/IMW.{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux} Frank Waller. | ||