Test report detailing adjustments and performance of steering, hydraulic dampers, and ignition components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 12\3\ X704-0109 | |
| Date | 17th March 1928 guessed | |
| contd :- -3- To further improve the steering a 9.5" pendulum lever was fitted and increased friction to the cross and side steering tubes, the load then at steering wheel being 7 lbs. initial pull. Various means of pivots were tried but finally was left at 2 3/4º. This being the best compromise. The steering then was very good for absence of wobbles, stability was not quite so good, and there was occasional shocks from the steering wheel when running over potholey roads. We found however that these conditions did not remain and signs of wobbles again came on. This we found to be due to the cross steering tube losing its friction load, apparently the springs are stressed too high and take a permanent set. We had to fit additional packing washers to regain the steering qualities. It was also found that to rely on the rubber packings between the dashboard and scuttle placed too great a strain on the body work, to lessen this a stay was fitted from the steering box to the dashboard, this taking most of the strain. We continued to run with these conditions. FRONT AND REAR HYDRAULIC DAMPERS TO LOP. F.78234 LOP.78133. The rear hydraulic dampers set to 80 h.p., 60 l.p. had dropped after 2500 miles to 80 h.p. and 50 l.p. They remained at this load for the remainder of the test. This load gave good riding qualities for medium speeds. At high speeds more damping was required and we found that approx. 40 lbs. on the Hartfords gave the best compromise. We had no trouble otherwise with the hydraulic dampers. The connecting links required adjusting every 2000 miles. It is useless fitting leather covers for Continental work as they become torn off in a very short time leaving the joints exposed to all dust and water. The front hydraulic dampers were as set to 80 h.p. and 70 l.p. The N.S. after 2000 miles we found the poundage had gone. We dismantled it but could not find anything definite to account for the loss. The low pressure valve seat looked as if some foreign matter had been under the seat, also the non-return ball valve gave the impression that the ball had been jamming. We ground in the seats and re-erected the damper - the poundage being 70 high pressure and 60 low pressure. The O.S. pressure had dropped to 70 h.p. and 50 l.p. The dampers were again checked at 5000 miles, the pressures being 70 h.p. and 50 l.p. They remained at this pressure. Hartfords were necessary for the roads round Chateauroux(French test region) and for high speed work. The load on the Hartfords giving the best results being 35 to 40 lbs. These were slacked off for town work and good roads, they gave definitely better results for high speed work. A slight oil leak developed from the gland of N.S. damper but it was not found necessary to add any oil to the hydraulics throughout the test. ELECTRICAL FITTINGS - IGNITION. Distributor fitted with scrubbing contact to Lec.2460. Std. rotor. The contact points were examined at a mileage of 2500. No burning of the contacts points had taken place. contd .. | ||
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).