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 about a noisy clutch thrust race on the 35-EX model and an associated experimental scheme.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 93\3\ scan0302 | |
| Date | 19th April 1937 | |
| 312 (also in 300a) To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Smth. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c.c. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c.c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c.c. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} c.c. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/IMW.{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Smth.5/AP.19.4.37 35-EX. - CLUTCH THRUST RACE. There are complaints that the clutch thrust race is noisy on 35-EX. This car is provided with an experimental scheme to dispense with the oillite bush on the clutch shaft, with a view to preventing clutch spin and at the same time cheapen the construction. We have never contemplated standardising the scheme in its experimental form, but were anxious to discover whether or not it had any fundamental drawbacks, such as aggravating engine roughness. Apparent-ly it has none and the arrangement has been incorporated in the new Ph.III. clutch. The thrust bearing noise, which has been a feature of all clutches fitted with the experimental scheme, is largely due to inadequate provision for lubrication. We have been aware of this fault from the first, but cannot overcome it without fairly large design modifications. The trouble has been obviated in the new design Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Smth. | ||