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).
Meeting notes discussing steering gear failures on the Phantom III and steering/performance issues on the Wraith.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\3\ scan0147 | |
| Date | 27th April 1939 | |
| PHANTOM III -2- Cx{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager}6/ES.27.4.39. 2. (Cont). is to be made to rig up one of these schemes so that it can be tried much sooner than that. 3. Failure of Steering Gear W. have not so far reproduced the failure but are working on it. The question arose as to what was to be done regarding existing cars of which there are about 600. The recommendation by BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} re this is that he sees no reason to change these. The Depots have been instructed to inspect the parts on these cars and BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} expects a dozen or so reports in the near future. The examination will largely take the form of searching for evidence of twist in the shafts. It was agreed that all Co's cars should be inspected and Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} was to provide BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} with the chassis numbers of these cars. It was revealed that a force of 2,500 lbs. would be capable of twisting a shaft to an extent of 10°. Furthermore, 3,000 lbs. pressure will break a shaft. Therefore those shafts that show signs of being twisted would appear to have come very near breaking point. Agreed that it was too early to decide what action should be taken until further information is available. WRAITH. 1. Steering:- Breakage of Follower Roller. Eg. enquired why we reduced the overall size of the roller. The reply was that it was necessitated by the larger balls. LA.{L. A. Archer} reported that so far 88 Bentleys and 16 Wraiths had had these parts changed and that no more were going into customer's hands without the new parts. 2. Cost: In his absence a note from RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} was read on this matter. 3. Performance: A discussion ensued as to the desirability of introducing the modifications which had been fitted to the engine of Eg's car giving slightly better performance, when | ||