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 condition and testing of vehicle components including pedals, axle, brakes, and electrical fittings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 4\9\ 09-page018 | |
| Date | 25th September 1936 | |
| R.R. 495a (500) (D.B. 17) 25-9-36) J.M.D. EXPERIMENTAL REPORT -4- Expl. No. REF GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/Crn10. d.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} 25. PEDALS 'D' TYPE TO L.O.P. F.53506. - Spring F.53534 fitted to brake pedal. The pedal bearings are on the slack side. We do not consider that wear has taken place. These are as they were fitted. STARTER MOTOR. This has functioned O.K. REAR AXLE & BRAKE MECHANISM. We have dismantled brake drums and found these in good condition, as also are the shoes. We have not noticed any periods from axle, which we consider to be good for quietness. Rear springs and bearings appear to be O.K. Rear shock absorbers - as we were not satisfied with the damping effect of the rear shock absorbers, we dismantled same from frame, and tested the friction load. We have omitted the first stage. The friction in lbs. was initial pull 50 lbs., after which 25 lbs. only were needed. We examined plates and found very poor surface bedding of copper plates. They were also inclined to be on the tight side on the splines. After taking hard spots off plates, and freeing splines, we have got a friction poundage of 47. PROPELLER SHAFT. This has not developed any rattles. The universal joints appear to be in a good condition. There is a slight amount of oil thrown out of rear and front universal covers. The instructions are "1/2 a gun ful of oil in each universal joint after every 500 miles". We shall cut this down to half a gun full for both, to see whether it is an excess of oil or if it is thrown out by centrifugal force. SIDE HAND BRAKE MECHANISM. This is quite O.K. ELECTRICAL FITTINGS. These are O.K. generally. The points of cutout are burnt and pitted very badly. Earthing wire to accumulator was fouling brake rope, and the insulation had become damaged. This we have rectified. Accumulator suspension - we found that the accumulator box was chattering sideways, owing to the supporting tube to frame having a standard 0.187" bolt fitted, whilst the hole in the tube was 0.200". At the accumulator end, there is a special bolt 0.200" diameter fitted. We have not got a drawing of this, so cannot say which should be right. We have enlarged hole in bracket on frame to .200" and fitted bolt to same. EXHAUST SILENCER & SPOUT. The lagging is at present O.K., but it is starting contd :- | ||