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).
Customer's experimental modification to a propeller shaft damper to fix a clutch 'jagger' issue on chassis B.38-HK.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\5\ scan0043 | |
| Date | 31th May 1939 | |
| Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 261 Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/Sd9/HR.31.5.39. N.R.C See me Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} re CHASSIS NO. B.38-HK.{Col. T. Harker - Sales} C. F.{Mr Friese} Bennion, Esq. We have received an Inspection Memorandum from Hb.{C. E. Harcombe}, in connection with the above car, and give below an extract dealing with the clutch and propeller shaft damper:- "........Propeller Shaft Damper. Owner has been critical of clutch jagger since delivery. We fitted the damper to satisfy him a few months later, and it was found necessary to lubricate it as the jagger recurred. This Owner considered it only effected a temporary cure and felt this jagger so spoiled the car that he has experimented with the springs of the damper. On examination he found there were 12 recesses for the springs but only nine springs fitted. He has reduced the springs to 4 only, equally divided, and left the damper dry. He considers that this alteration from standard, which was done some months ago, has made the clutch perfect as regards freedom from jagger and definitely superior to any 4¼ Bentley he knows of. I must say, after trying the car, the clutch is very good in this respect, even getting away on steep uneven surfaces it is good, and the improvement is particularly noticeable on this car, as jagger had been a feature of it. Owner won't agree that the clutch has settled down with further running! Mr. Bennion and his driver now think they have done the Company a very good turn and that no doubt W. will like to test it out, so that it can be adopted on cars of his type. Mr. Bennion, in his enthusiasm, wants to experiment with 2 springs. I said that as it was his own car he could do as he liked, but Mr. Bennion thought it up to us to experiment and let him know what we think. I pointed out that the Design and Experimental Department, when the damper was first considered, would have gone into the matter very thoroughly, and he could be assured they had very definite reasons for having a greater number of springs than Mr. Bennion felt necessary........." Will you please let us have your views on this so that we may pass them on to Hb.{C. E. Harcombe} to enable him to discuss the matter further the next time he sees this Owner. Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} AS | ||