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).
Wear on Hartford Shock Absorbers due to incorrect fitting and lubrication.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 51\4\ Scan046 | |
| Date | 22th June 1922 | |
| X4426 To EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} from Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Hm. {Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} c. to Br. {T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} c. to Wa. {Mr Wallis} (Paris) c. to PN. {Mr Northey} Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 2/LG22.6.22. HARTFORD SHOCK ABSORBERS, X4426 We have had a representative to see us from the Agents of the Hartford Shock Absorbers, with regard to complaints of wear. In two cases which we investigated on chassis 61-TW and 16-EE, we found that these shock absorbers had not been fitted up in the correct manner. There were no spring washers fitted to control the endways movement on the universal joints. The Hartford people state that these spring washers play a very important part. If the washers which take the end movement are kept in close contact, no dirt can get between the faces to cause wear and also no dirt or grit can get into the bush to cause wear. If these washers are not fitted, as soon as the least amount of wear is apparent, it will rapidly increase, both in the washers and in the bush. In the case of 16.EE chassis, we found that these shock absorbers had been taken apart and the friction surfaces greased. This is quite wrong. There is no need whatever to grease these shock absorbers, and it should never be done. They claim that they are supplying hundreds of sets of these shock absorbers weekly. They have recently been standardised on the Sunbeam, Wolseley and Vauxhall cars, and numerous other makers. Their representative stated that they were prepared to give the same guarantee with the shock absorbers they supplied to us as we give with our chassis. They will send us a letter confirming this. They are also very anxious to investigate any contd:- | ||