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).
Premature failure of a clutch on a Bentley lorry due to suspected engine and gearbox misalignment.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 112\1\ scan0019 | |
| Date | 7th November 1941 | |
| To Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB. 812 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB.7/BT.{Capt. J. S. Burt - Engineer}7.11.41. Copy to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} We note that the life of a clutch in our Bentley lorry is only 5000 miles. We have examined a clutch removed from this lorry and we have noted that the radial clearances between the limb and the plates had been increased considerably by wear. This is what would be expected from misalignment between the engine and gearbox. On this vehicle the alignment is adjusted by job cards or other pieces of cardboard and tested be seeing whether the gears jump out on road runs. We would like the gearbox to be aligned correctly so that we can get a true picture of clutch life on this vehicle. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB. | ||