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).
Letter to Vandervell Products Ltd. regarding bad clutch judder experienced after fitting Graphite Bronze Clutch Facings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 130\3\ scan0090 | |
| Date | 2nd June 1939 | |
| 1110 EXPERIMENTAL DEPARTMENT. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/NRC.{N. R. Chandler}10/JH. 2nd. June, 1939. Vandervell Products Ltd., Western Avenue, Park Royal, LONDON.W.3. re Graphite Bronze Clutch Facings. G.57319. Dear Sirs, During the last few weeks we have experienced several cases of bad clutch judder after fitting the above facings. The external conditions, i.e. details of the clutch and car generally, are identical with the hundreds of car to which we have fitted bronze facings successfully since the end of 1937, when we had the first supplies of Cleveland Graphite Bronze Facings, and we therefore wonder if there has been any change in the specification or manufacture of the facings. You supplied us with 1021 discs on one order, with deliveries in batches over the period from Nov. 1938 to Feb. 1939, and a further consignment of 1030 discs during May 1939, but it is fairly certain that the discs which have trouble must have been taken from the latter end of the earlier consignment, because the May consignment had hardly got into circulation when the epidemic commenced. Would you please ascertain from the makers if they know of any alteration in the materials or method of manufacture which might conceivably alter either the analysis or the physical structure of the facings? You will appreciate that our reason for writing you is that we have recently had several incurable cases of judder, and have been obliged to revert to Asbestos Fabric facings, whereas till recently no trouble was experienced and the nature Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||