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).
Analysis of customer complaints regarding failures in 3½ and 4¼-Litre Bentley models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 107\2\ scan0240 | |
| Date | 11th March 1937 | |
| Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} C. B. NH RHE Mr. H.Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} A.W. Sanders Kingsbury. 11.3.37. CUSTOMERS' COMPLAINTS. 3½ and 4¼-Litre Bentleys. In analysing the customers' complaints during the last two months, the following have been the most prominent:- (1) 4¼-Litre. There have been 63 failures of Rear Axle. 3½-Litre. 176 comprising:- Rear Wheel driving dogs 35 - 4¼ average mileage 7,010. 40 - 3½ litre average mileage 23,899. Noise 12 - 4¼ average mileage 3,735. 44 - 3½ Oil Leaks Pinion Bearing 7 - 4¼ - average mileage 7,439. 47 - 3½ - 21,131 Oil Leaks from Axle Tube Flanges. 9 - 4¼ - average mileage 7,210 45 - 3½ - 5/16 bolts. (2) 345 failures of Brakes comprising:- Front & Rear Brake Squeaks. 4¼ - 37 average mileage 9,651 3½ - 78 " " 19,059 Hand Brake 4¼ - 2 " " 31,400 3½ - 4 " " 25,500 Squeaks from Mechanism. 4¼ - 16 " " 8,371 3½ - 16 " " 27,913 Inefficient Servos. 4¼ - 11 " " 10,733 3½ - 21 " " 23,327 Seizure of shoe anchorage and actuating shafts. 4¼ - 3 " " 13,216 3½ - 22 " " 21,929 | ||