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).
Recurring starter failure on chassis 19-LW, caused by oil leaking onto the clutch friction faces.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 75\5\ scan0039 | |
| Date | 16th February 1920 | |
| H.S. to Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} C. to Dr. C. to Dy.{F R Danby} C.I.R. X 3350 EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}9/F16.2.20. X.3922 RE. STARTER FAILURE ON CHASSIS 19-LW. X.3350 With reference to my conversation with you re. the above, I have now received a report from Mr. Holgate, pointing out that the actual fault was the clutch of the starter drive slipping. On examination of the drive, it appears to be quite sound, the springs, mechanism, etc. all being standard, and the only fault he could find was a slight amount of oil on the friction faces. He was unable to fix any further packings so as to increase the strength of the springs, otherwise the springs themselves would have become choc-a-bloc. After cleaning and re-erecting as above described, the starter worked satisfactorily. This continued to work satisfactorily for 3 or 4 days and on the 12th. inst. the driver of the car oiling the starting chain, and the next day it failed again, this time worse than before, in as much as it refused to drive at all when cold. On dismantling, it was found that oil had got on to the friction faces, which Mr. Holgate explains has evidently worked its way in from the chain. The drive was cleaned and two new fibre washers of the same thickness were fitted. The drive was then O.K. We are arranging to send another complete drive which will be changed with the existing one, so that we can experiment with it here. This we will arrange to forward on to you as soon as it arrives. Mr. Northey does not like the idea of experimenting with this trials car. We had this trouble on early cars on test, and it was then certainly proved that the question of slipping or not depended on the faces being lubricated, or not lubricated. It would appear, therefore, that some provision must be made so that the faces cannot get lubricated, or that the spring should be made strong enough so that the friction is sufficient even although the faces are lubricated. I should be glad if you could give this matter your attention, as I anticipate that other drives may behave similarly. If you consider that I could issue any instructions to our Depots, or deal with the cars before delivery. Contd | ||