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).
Persistent issue of rattling Bentley clutches and recommending a standardized modification as a permanent solution.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 85\2\ scan0120 | |
| Date | 12th October 1934 | |
| W/S - C. from Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Nor. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Ey. c. to H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} c. to Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} X212 Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}20/KW.12.10:34. Rattles on Engaging Bentley Clutch. You may remember that this was unanimously decided to be one of the three worst features on the Bentley when cars had been in customers' hands for about 6 months. The cause of the trouble was located, and a cure - which consisted of modifications to the synchromesh mechanism - has since been standardised. We are in entire agreement that this fault is one of the most annoying on the Bentley. From correspondence we have had with H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} in relation to Sir Stanley White's car we gather that it is thought desirable to avoid fitting the known cure to a customer's car if possible, owing to the expense. Actually, in previous cases the Repair Dept. have had no alternative but to take the man's clutch down, do what they can to improve its operation, and re-erect it. This operation we understand costs about £8. In our experience their is little chance of it being a permanent cure. To fit the anti-rattle device costs £12. When this modification is made there is no reason why the customer should not be permanently satisfied. We therefore recommend that in all cases of complaint of this particular feature the standardised cure should be adopted. Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||