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).
Test run on the Bentley III Bump Chassis front end suspension and specifications for future tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 100\1\ scan0171 | |
| Date | 14th June 1938 | |
| 446 also 1024 To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Iv. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}3/MH.{M. Huckerby}14.6.38. BENTLEY III BUMP CHASSIS - FRONT END. As the result of this run we can say that the rubber bearings and the rubber buffers on the front suspension will be satisfactory. The lower lever bearings lasted 50 hours and are still satisfactory. This we attribute to the stay we had fitted across the lower triangle. One upper bearing ran 50 hours and is still O.K., but the other side had to be replaced once. This we attributed to the repeated failures of the rebound buffer on that side, and now this latter is satisfactory, we anticipate no further trouble. We think that the lower triangle stay has been responsible for the improved life of the upper bearings also. The test was started with rebound buffers of 75 durometer hardness. These failed so quickly that we tried others of 45 durometer, and these appear to be satisfactory. The shock dampers gave plenty of trouble and these are now our chief concern. However, we made certain modifications during the run which considerably increased their life. The run has been most instructive and we hope to prove out what we have learned on the next run. The specification next time will include - Stiffer yokes. Silentbloc bearings instead of Inlox. 8" deflection front springs, cyanide treated, shot blasted and cadmium plated. Latest shock dampers. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale} | ||