Road tests and maintenance concerning exhaust boom, rear springs, shock damper, and steering adjustments.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 11\2\ 02-page285 | |
| Date | 21th July 1929 | |
| To Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From G.W.H. Hôtel de France, Châteauroux, Indre. 3) 21/7/29. We tried to-day the idea of packing the swan neck with steel wire gauze to see the effect on the exhaust boom. The result was certainly a lessening of the boom, but the back pressure was such that the maximum speed was only 60 M.P.H. It did not in any way affect the boom that is produced by the engine, that was precisely the same. The exhaust note produced was very shrill and very pronounced at 30 M.P.H., therefore we do not expect to get very far with this arrangement. We have dismantled the n/s rear spring and examined all the leaves. In the first place I understood from Rm. {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} that these springs had the latest grooves cut into them for getting oil to the tips. I found upon dismantling the springs that it is not so. There is only the single straight groove from the lubricating hole. The main leaf was well lubricated. Counting downwards from the main leaf, No. 2, 3, 4 & 5 leaves were rusty and with no oil for 1" approx. at the tips. The tips were scored, very similar to other springs that have been dismantled. Nos.6, 7, 8 & 9 leaves were O.K. for lubrication. The remaining surface of the leaves were well lubricated. Lubrication of the anchorage pins: The front end was ample. The top rear pin had a film of oil on, but looked as if more oil would be beneficial. The bottom rear pin was well lubricated. The n/s rear shock damper has developed a slackness in the connecting links inside the damper, making a loss of movement at the end of the lever of approx. .750". We are going to dismantle the damper to find out exactly where the slackness is. The bottom ball ends of the connecting links are now well lubricated. For your information. We fitted bijurs giving 24 drops per stroke of the pump. We have recommended previously 20, which is ample. Steering:- When we fitted the axle up again after testing the packings under the springs we made the lean of pivots 3°. The result is that the steering is better for joggles, but for some reason we are not as selective as we were. We are therefore going to lessen the load on the cross steering tube until joggles are pronounced, to see whether this has any effect on the stability of the steering. The servo is still free from squeaks. Cont'd.... | ||
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).