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).
Engine performance, steering, axle noise, and gearbox issues on vehicle 21-G-IV.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 101\4\ scan0094 | |
| Date | 7th September 1935 | |
| X500a To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} O.{Mr Oldham} Ox. E.2/HP.7.9.35. 21-G-IV. Referring to your memo Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}6/E.3.9.35, I noticed decided engine periods at 31 and 63 m.p.h. and in respect to smoothness I believe this engine unit is not up to standard for some reason not yet known. I rather expected that GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} may have found that the slipper flywheel needed attention, but he does not mention doing any work on this. With regard to the use of smaller wheels to improve performance, I was satisfied that 21-G-IV on the whole under Continental conditions was an advance on the present chassis. Any improvement on top gear acceleration appears to me to be worth a slight sacrifice of maximum speed. So far as one can see the roughness of the engine has nothing to do with the lower gear ratio but arises from some other cause. With regard to the steering, the R.R. Marles as fitted does suffer from a certain amount of joggles and road shocks, but personally I would rather put up with what there is of this than have a steering which is impossibly stiff, and in this respect the Marles box is a great improvement. It is difficult to criticise the steering on normal good roads. We have in hand a new worm and roller which would still further improve the Marles as regards joggles and road shocks. With regard to the rear axle on 21-G-IV, this has the features in it which give us quiet axles on OUR other chassis, and one would, therefore, recommend a careful inspection to see where the bedding is going wrong on the gears. The change speed mechanism on this car developed trouble and became very bad towards the end of the period during which I used the car. This was finally traced to the spindle having been assembled in a soft condition instead of hardened, and thereby allowing the balls of the slider bearing to bite into the shaft. | ||