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).
Letter from Melbourne discussing various vehicle faults and suggesting improvements based on reports.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\5\ Scan248 | |
| Date | 15th March 1929 | |
| X4118 Pt.2/EAP/15-3-29 MELBOURNE. - 15th March, 1929 Hm. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} /Derby c.EF./Derby c.Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} /Derby c.EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} /Derby e.Whr {Mr Wheeler} /London For your information I enclose herewith copy of Reports received from Messrs. Ford and Appleby respectively, covering some of their experiences during the past three months, and setting out various faults which they have noted. You will notice that on this occasion there is not a single item by one which is also mentioned by the other, which is in itself rather interesting. So far as Ford's Report is concerned, - I must say that I think the method of fastening the Fan Spindles on 20 h.p. Chassis was not a particularly good job. I can confirm that the flanges of exhaust pipes on 20 h.p. Models do break away, due, no doubt, to inadequate support for the weight, having regard to the rough road conditions obtaining here. The side spare wheel brackets on 20 h.p. have been a constant source of trouble, because owners and drivers will not adjust these to suit a deflated tyre. In my opinion, the great cause of the trouble is that though a fully inflated tyre may be mounted, deflation may take place early and unobserved, with the result that the whole weight of the wheel is taken by the bracket, instead of being substantially taken by the running board. I quite agree with Ford that it would be much better if we could adopt the type of bracket now standard on the 40/50 h.p. Model. So far as Speedometers are concerned, - I still think that these should all be dismantled at your Factory, inspected, and tested, before despatch because of the practical impossibility of obtaining any Spares so far away from our Base. Regarding Appleby's Report, - I have had no experience of the trouble complained of by him in regard to sticky valves causing mis-firing, and shall be glad to know whether you have found this trouble at your end. The wear on Carburetter control parts I have noted, and think that the wearing areas of these parts very badly need enlarging because of the dusty conditions under which cars have to run in this country. | ||