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).
Complaints of rattling Bentley clutches, identifying the cause as synchro-mesh dogs, and proposing modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 85\2\ scan0102 | |
| Date | 9th August 1934 | |
| ✓212 To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} From Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to Dy.{F R Danby} c. to Hdy.{William Hardy} c. to En. c. to MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} COMPLAINTS ON BENTLEY CLUTCHES. You will remember that at a recent conference it was agreed that complaints of jaggering clutch take up were probably more numerous than any other on the Bentley. It has since been discovered that in actual fact the clutch is only a contributory cause, and that the worst feature is actually a rattle made by the synchro-mesh dogs just as the car is about to move from rest. This gives the driver the impression that he is not getting a smooth clutch engagement. Various schemes have been tried to overcome the trouble, the one that finally proved successful being Hay's R.Sch.4095. This has now completed 10,000 miles in France, and its success has also been confirmed on 1.B.LV. It will be possible to modify parts at present part machined in the Works to incorporate this modification and we recommend that this is done immediately. Ha/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hdy.{William Hardy} & By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} We find that with a 16 lbs. spring the rattle disappears on our worst car, which we think is probably as bad as any. Therefore for Production we are recommending a 12 lb. spring. We may alter this load after experience on a number of cars. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||