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).
Modifications, engine vibrations, and steering gear issues for the Wraith model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 161a\3\ scan0190 | |
| Date | 3rd June 1939 | |
| - 3 - WRAITH. MAJOR MODIFICATIONS TO 'A' & 'B' SERIES. We are not waiting for these cars to come in, in the ordinary way, but are getting in touch with the owners and getting them to send the cars in for modification. The number of chassis still requiring modification are 33 in 'A' and 2 in 'B'. We are not over-looking the fact that one car actually failed in London, and had to be towed in to a Depot; this failure has increased our efforts to make the changes quickly. ENGINE VIBRATIONS. Metalastik Coupling. Work is being continued with this, as whilst it overcomes the high speed rattle there is a low speed rattle introduced at engine idling speeds, which has to be obviated. For production, we have returned to the lighter cam wheel with the improved finer woven insertions, which have proved to be satisfactory inasmuch as they reduce the wear to such an extent as to practically eliminate it. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} has done 39,000 miles with this combination with no appreciable rattle. STEERING GEAR. The replacement of the original follower roller on all Wraith (and 'M' series Bentley) has been energetically pushed from the date at which material was available. The present position is as follows :- (a). 300 Wraith cars to change - 117 changed. (b). 200 Bentley " " " - 123 " Since then, K.{Mr Kilner} have had a Bentley in, which has been involved in a crash, which completely swept the front suspension back and broke the side steering tube. The new roller was only very slightly cracked. The rocker shaft and the follower roller will be available at the Conference. In connection with the failure of rollers on Bentley II. we have carried out a series of tests to find a maximum load to which the steering gear of 6.B.IV. and 'M' series Bentley can | ||