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).
Failures, knocking, and lubrication issues of the universal joint behind the gearbox.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66\4\ scan0299 | |
| Date | 7th August 1920 | |
| c.c. to HD.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} c.c. to DR. c. to EFC. X.3324 EPLO/F7.8.20. A.T. (1) X.3324. RE. FAILURES OF UNIVERSAL JOINT BEHIND THE GEAR BOX. X.4348 This point is a continual source of trouble as regards knocking. There also seems to be a considerable amount of wear and tear which takes place on this joint. In order to overcome knocking of this joint, special action has been taken, as arranged by you some time ago, for the bushes to be fitted so as to reduce the end play to a minimum. We find, however, that even with this end play, i.e. .004", knocking still takes place unless specially thick gear oil is used for this Joint, which is at present forbidden. I do not think that the lubrication of this universal Joint is satisfactory, and recommendations have on various occasions been made for a more easy and accessible means of lubrication to this Joint. Apart from this, however, I do not feel that oil is freely applied to this Joint the bushes are properly lubricated, which one rather concludes after examination of the joint when dismantling. Although some form of scoop or some means of ensuring that the oil feeds into the bushes and on to the end face could be applied to advantage, I should be glad if this matter could receive your favourable consideration. The fact of this joint requiring a further amount of attention on repairs is also confirmed by our various Depots. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||