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).
The failure of a needle bearing in the Spectre flywheel and clutch assembly and a recommendation for further tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 93\3\ scan0042 | |
| Date | 13th May 1935 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Hdy.{William Hardy} 4312 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}17/KW.13.5.35. SpectreCodename for Phantom III Flywheel & Clutch. We have to report a failure of the needle bearing between the rear end of the clutch driven member and the flywheel. The bearing became very noisy after a mileage of about 1400. On examination we found flats on every needle. The lubrication to this bearing depends on surplus oil from the outboard ball bearing reaching the needles while the engine is stationary. On No. 3 car the bearing was noisy the first time the car went on the road. We ran No. 1 car for some time with the outboard bearing removed and could tell no difference in the car. Until now we have never had a flywheel tail bearing and if therefore it is much easier to do away with it in order to have a more adequate clutch bearing arrangement, we recommend doing so for further tests. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||