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).
Technical description of the gearbox, axle, steering, and suspension systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 139\3\ scan0169 | |
| Date | 3rd June 1938 | |
| -3- Gearbox Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} orthodox gear box is felt to be unwarranted. A right hand gear lever fully isolated from engine vibration is employed, and is placed so as to cause no obstruction when the driver enters or leaves the car. Universal Joints. The propellor shaft universal joints are of all metal type, being totally enclosed, and the trunnions are fitted with needle type roller bearings, in order to reduce wear to a minimum. Rear Axle. The rear axle is of the "full floating" type, the road wheels being mounted solely on extensions of the axle tubes. The final drive is by hypoid bevel gears. The casing is of particularly rigid design and is adequately bolted to the axle tubes so as to render it oil retaining. Steering Gear. The steering gear is of the "worm and roller" type, the worm engaging with a grooved roller carried at the end of the sector arm. Frictional losses are further reduced by the mounting of all moving parts on ball or roller bearings. Suspension Front. After long and careful research and development work, independent front wheel suspension has been adopted for the 25/30 H.P. Wraith chassis. It consists of horizontal coil springs enclosed in a casing which forms both the spring housing and hydraulic shock absorber body. The stub axles are carried by four radius arms, set at a trailing angle. Needle roller bearings are used throughout the front suspension. With this system exceptional comfort has been obtained for both front and rear seat passengers without sacrificing stability. An outstanding feature of the car is in fact the way in which corners are taken without roll, and at high speeds a feeling of controlability is engendered, which normally is lacking where comfort is a primary consideration. This is largely due to the carefully arranged geometric layout of the suspension levers. Rear. Semi-elliptic springs are used at the rear. To obtain the requisite degree of comfort Rolls-Royce Ltd. have found it necessary accurately to grind to size and fit together on its end bearing surfaces each leaf of the rear springs. The springs are encased in leather gaiters and are lubricated from the chassis lubrication system by means of holes drilled in the main leaves. | ||