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 Lodge Plugs Ltd. to E.W. Hives detailing bodywork and chassis faults on a vehicle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 90\4\ scan0010 | |
| Date | 22th June 1934 | |
| From Lodge Plugs Ltd. To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} W. Hives Esq. Sheet No 2. Date 22.6.34. fouled the running boards, duest worked through the rear seat board and filled the inside of the body, and the luggage boot was also full of dust which worked through the floor board. It seems to me a pity that the pleasure to be derived from driving such a quiet running chassis should be spoilt by fitting a badly made body, and I think you would be well advised to supervise the construction of your standard bodies more closely. Might I also suggest that in future models a Yale lock be fitted to the spare wheel and to the bonnet, both essential features abroad. The following are notes on the chassis:- (1) I set tappets to 6/1000" inlet and exhaust, engine cold. After running 2,700 miles checked again with engine warm, and found some clearances down to as low as 1/1,000", so set all tappets at 10/1,000" to be on safe side. (2) Brakes were taken up once. On attempting to take up later, it was found butterfly nuts would not turn with finger pressure, although pedal travel appeared to be excessive. It was found that hand brake did not hold car too well on steep gradients unless it was pulled on very hard. (3) The steering appears to me to be heavier on cornering than the trials cars I have driven, front tyre pressure being 35 lbs. sq. in. Steering at speed good. (4) Car tends to roll on fast cornering, also hits rear bumpers on taking corners on rough road, with 2 up and 130 lbs. luggage. I noticed that car bounced more at speed on return journey. I think springs and shock absorbers should be checked. (5) Engine oil gauge tends to stick. (6) Petrol gauge also sticks. (7) There is an oil leak round the rear of engine. Engine has not been cleaned, as you may care to inspect its external condition after this run. (8) Oil leaks from some of the joints in the chassis lubrication system. (continued) | ||