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).
Issue of wheel driver knocks and proposed solutions for various models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\5\ scan0159 | |
| Date | 22th December 1937 | |
| By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} c. Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Hdy.{William Hardy} c. MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} 302 WHEEL DRIVERS GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} has pointed out in Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}17/W.21.12.37 that the Ph.III. is not free from wheel driver knocks. We knew this sometime ago and consequently ran on 32-EX. in France a hardened driver. Unfortunately these had been instructed in S/ZN. and broke during the test. In view of this one failure we changed the production drivers from S/N. to S/ZNCR. which change takes place at 176 in C. At about 126 in D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} the S/ZNCR. drivers will have hardened keys to By's instructions. On 39-EX. we have fitted a driver like that on M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} series Bentley with short hard keys (No.3. on N.Sch.5139). Owing to the limitations on Ph.III. testing and the fact that this scheme necessitates longer axle tubes it will be a very long time before we sell cars immune from driver knocks. We shall arrange to fit to 35-EX. hardened wheel drivers to the present drawing. After a few weeks running we will issue similar drivers to depots to be tried on complaint cases. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||