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).
Development issues and recommendations for steering, engine smoothness, transmission, gearbox, and clutch systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 4\1\ 01-page127 | |
| Date | 9th October 1934 | |
| -3- Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}11/KW.9.10.34. We have now to decide whether we can rely upon the mechanical inefficiency of the steering box to eliminate road shocks permanently, or whether we must make a compromise with the front wheel layout so that the steering gear has not such a strenuous duty to perform. Our experience on the Phantom with the Marles Weller gear indicates that steerings do not always maintain their degree of irreversibility, and we therefore at present favour altering the front suspension geometry. We recommend, however, that a design should be produced on the lines of the Cadillac box since R.{Sir Henry Royce} has had such favourable experience of the Marles on his own car. Engine Smoothness. We have run the engine with solid front engine feet and it appears to be smooth up to 4,250 r.p.m. Transmission. We get a good deal of "chunking" in the drive when slow running. There are of course at present a number of spline shafts which introduce a certain amount of cumulative slack. On the whole we think that with a separate gearbox a fabric coupling gives ideal results, both with regard to saving the transmission, evening out the slow running, and cutting out rattles on the over-run. We understand that you believe it will be possible to get a fabric coupling in with the single plate clutch. The latest standard Phantom fabric coupling has shown itself to be well up to the large car. Gearbox. We are fitting the latest SpectreCodename for Phantom III gearbox in the Vulture so that we can carry out tests on this which will not be interfered with by the current development work on the SpectreCodename for Phantom III. Clutch. So far the two-plate clutch has not given a smooth engagement. We are continuing to work on this, but understand that a single plate clutch is under consideration. | ||