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).
Findings from vehicle testing on cross steering, Bijur lubrication, engine mounting, gears, and clutch performance.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\3\ 03-page128 | |
| Date | 26th November 1931 | |
| Y5840 To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from O.W.H. Hotel de France, Chateauroux, FRANCE. 26/11/31. 18.G.IV. We have received your memo Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/AD23.11.31. re. cross steering tube load. We have taken our cross steering tube down to examine the points you raise. In our case the contacts were quite free in their working position. We had lost three lbs. of our load, however, and as far as we can ascertain the cause is the bodding in of the sphere. We took elaborate measurements of the complete units before starting the mileage and can only measure .0005" wear in one of the contacts. The springs have not altered .001". We have however, made the brass contacts to your measurements so that there can be no question of their freedom. We thank you for the information and the sketch. Re. Bijur Lubrication. We have had a lot of trouble with the system this time out. I believe it is due to the amount of pulling up and down of the various parts before coming out here. We have had to hold up this afternoon because both pipes on the O.S. steering had broken in two, close to the fitting on the brake anchorage plate. They twist these pipes about when fitting the pivots up and the joints are not an easy job to make, hence the above trouble. Engine Mounting. We have, as you will note in our daily report, tried the car with the spring plates fitted to the rear of the engine feet. (1) They definitely bring up torque reaction. (2) The engine is rougher generally. (3) There is no alteration to boom except at 73 M.P.H. where I should say it has sharpened the peak, and is more noticeable. (4) I should say no torque reaction dampers are needed with this arrangement. We shall prove this out on our next test before dismantling the spring plates. Gears. We are sorry that we do not agree with you over the gears, but you would not pass any of them were you to hear them, and we are of the opinion that they are getting worse. Clutch. We have cured clutch slip by cutting off the automatic supply, but it is the oil catcher that is at fault. It is not doing its work and is of a faulty design; apologies to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} G.W.H.ancock; O.W.H. | ||