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).
Wheel wobble and gearbox issues with a 31 EX - Phantom III.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\3\ scan0185 | |
| Date | 11th November 1935 | |
| V300a HOTEL DE FRANCE. CHATEAUROUX. Indre. France. 11th November 1935. To. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From. G.W.H. 31. EX.- PHANTOM III. With reference to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}I4/KW.31.10.35. We have fitted two 1 lb. lead weights diametrically opposite, to the steering wheel of 31 EX. The result is disastrous. The joggles of the wheel one could hold, without the weights are increased at certain speeds i.e. from 30 to 50 MPH to such an extent that it is with difficulty held. At higher speeds where the joggles were of small amplitude, there is a very slight less movement. The fitting of the weights started a wabble, which became very violent right down to stopping the Car, and having once started the wabbling, we have had to change the front tyres to stop it. GEARBOX. The drain pipes inside the gearbox have been removed, but for the present we are running the engine bearings in, therefore we cannot say whether a leak will occur until we have chance to get the oil in the box hot. We have noticed that the continuous gears have got worse with running. Whereas at the start there was only a whine from the timing gears, now the chief note comes from the gearbox. ------------ G.W.Hancock G.W.H. | ||