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).
Findings on the clutch transmission, gearbox, and brakes after mileage testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\4\ scan0262 | |
| Date | 15th September 1935 guessed | |
| ( 9 ) due to the new scheme of air pressure to the rear Engine bearing, the needle bearings were found to be rusting up. The Bearings of the Clutch spiggot and tail bearing were in a good condition. CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. The Hardy Fabric coupling and the spring plate coupling showed no signs of failure. The ball race in the Flywheel housing was rusty. GEARBOX. The change of gears was poor throughout the mileage. The Synchromesh did not function correctly, gears were crashed with normal changing. The 3rd Synchromesh cone had become loose. The use of rivets for holding the cone to the gear hub, not standing up to the strain. The oiling arrangement to the bushes of the 1st to the 3rd motion shaft was quite satisfactory. The two second motion shaft bushes were satisfactory. The oil used in the Gearbox was not satisfactory, considerable carbon had been deposited in the oil grooves and ball races. The front sandwiched rubber mounting failed on the N.S. oil being chiefly the cause. BRAKES. The Brakes were not good enough at the beginning of the mileage. There was a lack of front braking. New levers fitted at 6.400 miles to give increased front Brakes, improved the braking considerably, and was considered better balanced. The braking was good throughout the remainder of the mileage. The Rear Foot Brake adjustment was all taken up after 13,300 miles. They were readjusted at the toggle levers on the brake shoes. There was ample lining left at the finish of the mileage. The Hand Brake rope on the Axle frayed, owing to coming in contact with the pinion housing. The levers in the drums when Brakes were applied, would not return owing to the tightening up of the needle bearings. This left the Brake ropes slack. The design of the Hand Brake adjustment is such, that an Owner cannot adjust it. It requires special tools and a new locking plate to adjust it. Although the Hand Brake is not in need of frequent adjustment, it should not be necessary to have to employ a skilled mechanic to adjust same. It was observed when the Body was taken off, that the rear Brake drums had just been touching the side of the chassis [Handwritten note on left margin]: Handbrake? | ||