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).
Vehicle performance issues including clutch shudder, rattles, boom period, and floorboard vibrations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page126 | |
| Date | 5th February 1934 | |
| -2- EPS/H.5.2.34 (3) Clutch shudder and rattle in drive.- Chiefly when getting away on 2nd gear. Rumbling and rattling in drive is still manifest with finished cars. This varies with different cars but is fairly consistent with our chassis test records. R-61-AW (Heath's Trials) is a good sample & this and might be available to investigate. Drive groans on retard 30/40 m.p.h. quite good; thus only - not objectionable - but if the car suffers from the above this feature is aggravated by rattles in the drive. (4) Boom period.- Chiefly 3000-2600 engine r.p.m. on retard and 4000 up on forward drive. Not bad; similar to first 15 cars (e.g. R-18-AW, Sales Trials). Consistent with our chassis test with our test bodies. The metal floorboard isolation scheme should be urged. Clearance to chassis features is also a trouble which this scheme improves. We have obtained consistent improved results by using metal boards with our test bodies. Floorboards where they extend outside the dash should be made wider. At present they are not wide enough to suit the body. Coachbuilders could cut off to suit. Correct fixing of these boards is essential; they must butt up against each other, otherwise they rumble. Mere screw fixings should affect the vibrations, also screws could be shorter and more clearance for the head, to make sure the board is properly fixed. Change gear lever vibration also follows the above boom periods. Silencer clearance to frame, etc., also flexibility, essential. The cut out control and the mounting of the cage for the control lever are delicate fittings and require special inspection on complete final car tests. | ||