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).
Report from the U.S.A. on running issues found in a Bentley, covering ground clearance, valve springs, and axle problems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 3\6\ 06-page129 | |
| Date | 22th January 1934 | |
| X4583 COPY OF REPORT RECEIVED FROM Ra. in U.S.A. DATED 22.1.34. To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Ha/Ra. c. to HOR. c. to S. c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Hiv. c. to Hn.{F. C. Honeyman - Retail orders} c. to EF. c. to Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} Ha/Ra.18/KM.5.2.34. RUNNING OF BENTLEY. I have been held up several times recently - (1) Ground Clearance. This being about 2-3" less than the average American, in deep snow the tracks made by other vehicles leave a pressed ridge of snow which lifts the Bentley in the air on the bottom half, further progress being impossible. For American conditions the springs should have 1" more initial camber and the wheels should be either 19" or fitted with larger tyres to give .5" more axle clearance. This will necessitate a lower axle ratio to keep engine speeds the same. (2) Valve Springs. Have had a distressing epidemic of valve spring failures, three in the last two days. Having no more spares have wired you for a set. The springs are broken in two or three places, all inlets. Have not been running above 4000 r.p.m. except in short bursts. The new set will show if extreme cold has any bearing on the trouble, or if a batch of faulty material. (3) Axle. The thrust race is apparently giving out as on the last 10,000 miles test. Have extracted steel chippings from the oil which look like ball race surfaces. Have wired you to know size so that I can get a replacement. Axle is noisy on over-run from 40-30 M.P.H. | ||