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).
Summary of faults and troubles experienced on a prototype vehicle, with proposed eliminations for a future model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 181\M13\M13.2\ img036 | |
| Date | 3rd February 1931 guessed | |
| SUMMARY OF FAULTS AND TROUBLES EXPERIENCED ON 18.G.IV. WHICH WE HOPE WILL BE ELIMINATED IN 'JAPAN' III. ============= (1) Hypoid Axle failed through weak housing of thrust race of pinion. This has been modified by RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} and further tests are to follow. (2) Shock Dampers. Nothing done to present damper. New designed dampers are to be tested but will not be ready in time. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} has modifications for the present dampers. (3) Clutch Slipping. Oil thrower designed and incorporated, supply of lubrication too great. This has been cut down and modifications made. (4) Starter Motor Slipping. A stronger main spring has been incorporated which will deal with present production, further experiments are being tried out to deal with the slipping when the friction faces become polished as the above. (5) Failure of Telegauge. This was due to an air leak at the fitting on the petrol tank. It is proposed to bring a new design with a single pipe line for the new car. The design is complete and waiting to be tested. It simplifies out the possibility of leaky joints. (6) Brake Squeaks. Nothing has been done for the new car. Various materials are being tried out but there is no promise of these curing the squeaks. We have had no permanent success with "locomotive type" brake shoes. (7) Loss of Friction Load on Cross Steering Tube. We shall have the same trouble on the new cars without modifications are made. (8) Failure of Centralised Lubrication Pipe feeding Rear Axle. This was due to the coil being too large in diameter making it solid in the leather cup which would not allow it to unwind with the movement of the rear axle. The diameter has been lessened to overcome the above fault. | ||