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).
Monthly report on customer complaints detailing issues with brake squeaks, shock absorbers, springing, and fabric couplings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\3\ Scan006 | |
| Date | 16th January 1931 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Mr. 8. 4 117 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}6/KT.16.1.31. CUSTOMERS' COMPLAINTS MONTHLY REPORT. Item (1) Brake Squeaks and Inefficiency. W.H. has given us designs for 40% thicker brake drums for the rear brake on Phantom II. These are now being incorporated on all new chassis. The anti-squeak device is being fitted to the front brakes on Phantom II and Depots' are being instructed to fit these when recurrent trouble arises. The new material A.M.R.2 is a failure from the squeaking point of view, but is a more efficient brake when hot. Further tests are still to be carried out with a Duron material. An anti-squeak device is being incorporated for the rear Phantom brakes. There has been no reports received from Robinson and Trayner. Item (2) Shock Absorbers. A considerable amount of work has been carried out to reduce the troubles with shock dampers by Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} The results of these tests have been submitted to W.H. and from these a completely re-designed damper is to be tried out. It is suggested that while the experiments are being carried out with the new damper to incorporate the essential feature in the existing shock dampers which would remove some of the well known troubles. In the meantime we are still turning out cars that will give trouble with the shock absorbers. Item (3) Springing. The springing complaints are very difficult to deal with to obtain the all round results to suit the American, English and Continental conditions. The springing of cars is being fully investigated, and with improvements to the shock absorbers which are in hand we are trying to obtain all conditions of springing. At the present time 26-EX type of springing is suitable for the high speed cars and for low speeds SE-GN Bg's type of car. There are no further improvements at the moment. Item (4) Fabric Couplings. There has been a considerable amount of Exptl. tests carried out with fabric couplings since the last monthly report by Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} and the works. The results are very satisfying and all couplings now produced should give entire satisfaction. Depots have been instructed to fit the improved fabric coupling whenever a clutch or gearbox has to be dismantled. | ||