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).
Investigations into clutch juddering issues on the Phantom III model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 107\2\ scan0138 | |
| Date | 26th May 1938 | |
| W/N. (crossed out) C. Mr. (crossed out) C. IId. (crossed out) C. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} H.R.C -> GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} wms BY.11/G.26.5.38. PHANTOM III. A.{Mr Adams} SAINSBURY - 3.AZ.72. RE: CLUTCH. I have returned the driven member to N. which was sent to Derby after being removed from the above car, in order to make it plain that there is no need to replace the thermoid faced driven member when a further complaint of "juddering" arises after such plate has been fitted. This whole matter was fully investigated in the case of Haslam, when at my request the car was sent up to Derby with a complaint of "juddering" arising after a thermoid faced driven member was fitted. I wired for GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} to come up and show Derby what was complained of, which he did most effectually, as the result of which we were able to show it was mainly a question of judders resulting from the spring pressure being much too great, and by simply reducing the spring poundage we completely cured the fault and satisfied GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} who was then instructed to pass on the information gained to Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} with instructions that thermoid lined members must not be replaced, the only change required was to fit the special springs of considerably reduced poundage with which N. were supplied. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} has been given the special responsibility of looking into complaints, putting them back to Derby when they are new, and passing on the information obtained to the various Service Depots, and instructions passed on through Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} from Derby must be acted on. In the case of Sainsbury, the whole issue was raised with me again, as if our solution was not adequate and satisfactory due to the thermoid plate being removed against instructions, and sending it back to Derby for investigation. The member in question is in excellent condition, it compares more than favourably with Haslams, is entirely free from any particles torn from flywheel and clutch faces, and except for a slight polish, is as good as new. Until a car which has a thermoid lining and reduced poundage springs fitted gives trouble, I do not propose to re-open this issue. I am aware there is room for the perfect clutch to be produced, and we are trying | ||