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).
Frequency and seriousness of slipping clutch issues on the 20/25 HP model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 103\1\ scan0007 | |
| Date | 18th January 1933 | |
| γ 5300. S/W.........Wcr. c. to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Hc. c. to "N" c. to PN.{Mr Northey} c. to H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} C12/C18.1.33 Re 20/25 h.p.SLIPPING CLUTCHES. -------------------- As this matter is very important and there appears to be some small difference of opinion as to the seriousness of it, I had a meeting yesterday with Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager}, PN.{Mr Northey} and H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Generally speaking we were rather surprised that there should be any doubt in this matter, because we thought it had for some time been recognised that the clutch of the 20/25 has very little reserve, more particularly when a car is driven by amateurs in possibly not as reasonable a manner as might be. The complaint has been with us for quite a time. There were 24 cases of slipping clutch on the 20/25 h.p. in the first quarter of the year; 28 in the second quarter; 30 in the third quarter; and in the last quarter, up to December 31st, Cricklewood alone have had 31 slipping clutch troubles on the 20/25 h.p. With C2/C11.1.33. I sent you a list of the cases Cricklewood have recently had, most of which are with synchromesh gear chassis. They have had 3 additional ones since January 1st. With regard to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/KT16.1.33. Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} points out that in respect of each one of these complaints a report has been sent to the Works, saying what the complaint is and what work was carried out to put matters right. In the case that Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} refers to the facts are not as set out there. The owner of that particular car had had recurring slipping clutch trouble, and after doing all the work necessary Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} offered to give the car a good long run, as he was visiting Derby on another matter, with a view to seeing whether he could make the clutch slip, to which the customer agreed, and on this journey there was no sign of slipping clutch, neither was there on the return journey. Later on, however, this customer brought the car to the Works, and you fitted the extra strong springs to the clutch since when we have had no further complaint. This was chassis No. GBT-43, F.A.White. Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} informs me that in no single case of this clutch trouble has it been due to oil getting on to the lining, and I understand that Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} is handing to one of the | ||