The Wraith III front suspension and frame, detailing the introduction of a new cross member.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 9\5\ 05-page059 | |
| Date | 15th April 1937 | |
| SECRET. To PY. Copy to Mr. RM {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} , MHC. RM {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Les. HPS. {Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} P/JNR. {Charles L. Jenner} E {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} /Ev. {Ivan Evernden - coachwork} S/IN.15.4.37. 646 Wraith III Front Suspension and Frame. The Expl. Dept. report that on the bump chassis the front suspension pan appears to be inadequate to stop the frame from opening at the top transversely, while on jacking under the centre of the pan a similar phenomenon is observed. It is desired to introduce a cross member between the frame immediately behind the radiator. We show a scheme for this on N.Sch.5113 herewith. Thick angle brackets are permanently held under the heads of the forward main suspension forging. Between these brackets extends a detachable sheet metal cross member. The cross member will come out by being moved backwards and downwards. The detachability of the cross member is necessitated to facilitate the removal of the engine and the accessibility of the timing gears. As Wraith III has now high engine mounting it is possible to raise the front end of the side steering tube and we have found it necessary to do this in order to design the cross member. This change enables the side steering tube to be removed without dismantling the centre steering lever on its bearings, which was one of the drawbacks of the original scheme and we feel therefore that the change is important. A hole is shown in the pan to enable the ball pin to be driven out by means of a drift. As previously suggested by yourselves, this drawing shows the shock damper fillers having the Phantom cap. The introduction of this cross member will necessitate a modification to the front of the engine under shields. Ev. {Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Att:N.Sch.5113. | ||
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).