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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).
Production changes and decisions for shock absorbers and battery boxes.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 78\2\  scan0163
Date  14th May 1919
  
-2-

form modified as required. The new and improved form of instructing these pipes is in hand and will be issued shortly. In the meantime the Works must proceed to the old type instructions, regarding which there should be no difficulty.

SHOCK ABSORBERS. X.3461.B X3451

As regards the rear shock absorbers, nothing can be done at the moment, but the end fittings for the tank and central tube are being instructed immediately with a view to incorporating this new type of tank at the earliest moment, so that the chassis fitted with these tanks, can after delivery, be fitted with rear shock absorbers without difficulty, in the meantime it is hoped that the works will not find difficulty in proceeding with the old type tanks from hand to mouth. This policy which is undesirable from a production point of view, is considered to be necessary owing to the importance of fitting rear shock absorbers at the earliest possible date, and it is thought that it could be applied to such an item as the tanks with reasonable facility and without great expense. X 3461A.

Regarding front shock absorbers, the position is very difficult, as we find on investigation that the fitting of the new type connecting link, which it was intended to apply to the old bracket on the front axle, necessitates the lengthening of the ball fitting on this bracket. This bracket has, in the past been found to be weak and the increased length of the ball fitting will still further increase its reliability. The two alternatives are to delay, until we have the new scheme provided by Mr. Royce in which the ball fitting is bolted directly to the web of the front axle, or, to return completely to the old type with small balls and link. The new scheme I consider will be sufficiently experimental to require testing before standardizing, and consider it safest to return completely to the old scheme for a time. 50 sets therefore of the old scheme completely will be put in hand, and the works are requested to proceed after that, from hand to mouth. Special efforts will be made to complete the new scheme at the earliest possible date, and this can of course be fitted to the chassis at the coachbuilbers or after delivery, which I think may prove desirable. I cannot be sure that the chassis would not be delayed if we decided to wait for the new scheme.

BATTERY AND BOX.

The chloride battery of reduced size will be used for 250 chassis, and these will be fitted in battery boxes of the old type, but of a suitable size, fitted with a leather strap. We know that the leather strap is undesirable, but there is now no time whatever to prepare and perfect alternative fittings and designs of boxes, and it is thought that the time given, while manufacturing 250 old type, is not too long for this work, and this number also is sufficient to enable the boxes to be manufactured instead of being made.

Contd.
  
  


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