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).
Phantom II riding quality, tyre pressures, and spring bedding issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 18\3\ Scan038 | |
| Date | 3rd January 1930 | |
| x7960. Sèvres P/A "Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}" ES5/RJ.3/I/30 Re: Phantom II Riding Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/MJ.I/I/30. Thanks for your memo. For a long time I have adopted as standard on all cars fitted with 33 x 6.75 tyres the pressures you recommend, viz. 2 kgs. 02 rear, 3,5 kgs or front - 30 lbs per sq. in. & 37 lbs. per sq. in., and the tests I had carried out with 25-WJ had that pressure. I am however up against the Dunlop Company here, who object to my recommendations, and they have told our customers that unless the pressure is 2.75 kgs minimum, or 41 lbs. per sq. in. at the rear, they cannot be responsible for the cutting of the tubes. Unfortunately, it is impossible for us to control tyre pressures, owners and chauffeurs do not appear to want to go to the trouble of checking tyre pressures periodically. It is seldom I deal with anything like the correct pressure when it comes in. There is further the difficulty of finding two tyre gauges which read the same for any length of time. I am not surprised at what you say about spring bedding. As far as the Phantom I springing troubles are concerned, I have successfully dealt with all complaints since we adopted the scheme of dismantling and buffing the leaves, taking off the hard spots, breaking up the large area beddings, and fitting a felt wick lubricated freely and often with engine oil. I regret to say that the springs on 25-WJ, which I dismantled prior to taking the car to Belgium, were far from being ideal. Apart from the spring bedding which was decidedly poor, the lubrication system had been negated by the abuse of the thick greasy substance used to preserve the springs when they are built up. I wrote to "EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}" about it and he promised to look into it. Attached is a copy of the communication, I should like to have an opportunity of assisting in the next tests you are making in France, if it could be arranged. I mean of course to ride in the car with different settings of tyre pressures, spring beddings and shock-absorber loadings. Thanks for the information and the interest you are taking to help us to arrive at a more satisfactory result. In fact, the springing of 25-WJ has improved somewhat perhaps since it has settled down after the treatment of rebedding the leaves. Ps. fs{F. Steele} | ||