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).
Persistent issue of 'clutch jaggers' in the 25 HP model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 103\1\ scan0186 | |
| Date | 20th September 1935 | |
| N-S Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} X512 GRY{Shadwell Grylls}-L ✓ WYMAN ✓ Br1/S. 20.9.35 noted [Signature] re Technical - 25 H.P. - Clutches. -------------------------------- Thank you for Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}16/KW18.9.35. We certainly take the view that clutch jaggers on the modern 25's is a serious trouble, and our Quarterly Complaints list will show you how many we have to deal with. The current quarter will be reported upon at the end of this month. We consider that jaggering became prevalent when the felt oil retaining ring was fitted to the crankshaft in D.2 series. It certainly went a long way towards curing slipping clutches, but it introduced jaggering. We think further that it has become worse in the F.2 series, where flexible rubber mounting has been introduced. The torque re-action dampers probably serve the purpose of reducing the ill effect of the rubber mounting to clutches, but it does seem that the absence of oil fumes from the engine has taken us to the position of jaggering instead of slipping. We consider this epidemic is quite serious. We are certainly able to talk some customers into accepting the clutch as it is, but, in other cases, we have been forced into attempting to make matters better, but whatever we do in the way of staggering the clutch plate, etc. does not seem to have any lasting effect, because several owners have returned to the charge after further running. With regard to the last paragraph of your memo, we always have several modern 25 H.P. cars in our hands, although it does not follow that, at any given time, we shall have a car with this actual complaint to deal with. It is probable, however, that if ever you are in town and care to call at N, we can show you three or four examples of exactly what we mean. [Circular stamp: 21 SEP 1935 with a clock face] Received. Br [Signature] [Faint stamp: Received] | ||