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).
Ongoing clutch slipping issues in the 20/25 HP cars, modifications, and complaint statistics.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 103\1\ scan0122 | |
| Date | 18th July 1934 | |
| Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}31/HR.18.7.34. re 20/25 HP. CLUTCHES. ------------------- Referring to H8/NM.13.7.34., and to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}12/KW.17.7.34, arising out of Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}'s enquiry as to whether the trouble with clutches has been overcome by modifications so as to avoid further trouble on Production cars, we have considered this matter very carefully and we do not feel altogether satisfied that this is the case. With regard to the modifications which have been introduced, we consider that the easing of the splines, and later the reduction in the number of the splines, have been helpful. The treatment described in Depot Sheet No. Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}254, i.e. "roasting", or slipping the clutch repeatedly to burn off oil, is in our opinion, only a temporary expedient, because if it is done sufficiently effectively to burn off all the oil the heat generated is frequently so great as to damage the friction plate, with the result that the clutch has ultimately to be taken down again for slipping, and a new plate fitted. We are at the moment compiling the current quarterly returns of complaints and we find that a total of 94 cars has had to be dealt with during this quarter for clutch trouble. Of course, a number of these cars has not got all the latest modifications but we would like to draw attention to the fact that out of this total 22 cars have all the known improvements and are precisely the same as present Production cars. Generally speaking, our experience is that, irrespective of the mileage the car has done, unless the car is handled carefully there is always a tendency for the 20/25 HP. clutch to suffer from slipping. Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} | ||