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).
Customer vehicle complaints regarding steering, boiling, fan blades and brakes, with proposed solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\2\ Scan139 | |
| Date | 6th September 1929 | |
| X4117. OY-5 September 6, 1929. TO: Mr. Bagnall Mr. Burton Mr. Ross cc Mr. Allen Mr. Caswell Mr. Roylance Experimental Dept. Mr. Beaver Mr. Soutter Mr. Hives (England) FROM: Mr. Olley. RE: 159 F.R. Attached copy of letter from Thorne Donnelley explains itself. This car had "Slade" lining in the front brakes. We have samples in Expl. and are going to test them right away. Mr. Donnelley's complaints are:- (1) Snatching of the steering. (2) Car boiled frequently where temperatures were around 120°. (3) Fan blades went out of shape on two occasions and had to be straightened with a spanner. (4) Squeaking of the Ferodo in the rear brakes. Mr. Steele is in Chicago working on (1). (2) Boiling. Latest figures available from England suggest that about 85°F.{Mr Friese} is the max. air temperature at which their cars will run without boiling, but that bonnet ventilation will increase this by about 18°F.{Mr Friese} We have still to confirm what our critical air temperature is on present series, but we believe that due to design of tubes we run about 15°F.{Mr Friese} better than England. This car would be an excellent one on which to fit a pair of shutters as on MX{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}-5 and ascertain results. (3) Fan Blades. Should guess this is due to dirt or gravel entering through radiator. Neither our drawing nor Derby's gives the desired hardness of the Duralumin fan blades E-74487. Will Mr. Allen tell us what hardness we can reasonably expect to get. Personally would recommend returning to steel blades which gave no trouble and cost less. They could be dull nickel plated for visibility. -continued- | ||