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).
The causes of and remedies for issues with sliding roofs being difficult to operate.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 117\3\ scan0246 | |
| Date | 17th January 1941 | |
| 1021 17.1.41. SLIDING ROOFS. ----------------- Regarding the trouble we are experiencing through sliding roofs being difficult to operate, we have found that the cause of the trouble is as follows:- 1. Felt in sliding channels has been greased, which has caused the felt to swell, while dust and grit have collected, causing the channels to bind on the slides. 2. The clearances round the sliding panels are not generous enough to allow of any wear that takes place through the felts bearing on the edges of the slides. 3. Rubber sealing strips on sides of sliding panels are, in some cases, uneven and rub on the sides of the roof opening, and act as brakes. 4. The wedging action of the sliding panel which engages the underside of the lip at the front of the roof opening sticks, particularly after the roof has been closed for a time. Suggested remedies:- 1. Give slightly more clearance to roof in felts, and lubricate with paraffine wax and graphite. 2. Give sufficient clearance between edges of sliding panel and roof opening to allow for wear of felts, also give a little more clearance between the underside of the sliding roof and the top of the roof opening, so that the cloth does not rub and act as a brake. 3. See that the edges of the rubber are cut straight and not frilled during fixing. 4. With the present type of overlapping front, a certain amount of sticking is bound to be experienced. If a small roller is fixed on the underside, between roof and body, the friction between the two blades now fitted would be relieved. Also the front edge of the sliding roof should act as a stop and relieve the pressure on the taper at the front edge of the sliding panel. | ||