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).
Test drive report and fault analysis for chassis 69-WJ.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 19\3\ Scan378 | |
| Date | 2nd May 1930 | |
| Btn-7 COPY May 2, 1930. To: Mr. Olley. From: Mr. Burton. Co- Mr. Beaver. Mr. Caswell. CHASSIS 69-WJ. This chassis has now been completely changed over, fitted with exhaust throttle, bumpers, lamp brackets, etc. and is ready to go away. I drove it for about 40 miles on Wednesday last. Steering - Since the steering has been changed from C to D type, it appears to have lost all its snatch - although the rear end was unloaded yet the wheel was perfectly steady at all speeds. At the same time it was just a little stickier than previously. I do not know how to account for this change. One thing we noticed in changing the steering - as originally delivered the outer bearing for the rocking shaft - which is supposed to be a tight bearing fit in a plate bolted on the frame, was loose - apparently in assembly the hole in the bearing plate was out of line and had been filed till it was something like .020 loose on this diameter. This was corrected in refitting the steering and may have had something to do with the snatchiness that we noticed previously. Engine - Was undoubtedly improved a little by the exhaust heat but the flat spot is still there. There are signs of excessive heat in hot weather as it is possible to cause very loud explosion in the silencer after switching off. Brakes - Clank very badly on stops on axle. This is so bad that we shall certainly get complaints and have to do something to cure it, although we realize that with a body fitted it will not be nearly as noticeable as now. Rear Axle - I noticed a slight period at about 30 m.p.h. on the drive side - disappeared above or below this speed. (This speed is guessed as speedometer is disconnected). M (Sgd) Btn. DM{D. Munro} typed May 19, 1930. | ||