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).
Vehicle handling improvements by adjusting front shock absorbers when using new semi-balloon tyres.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 53\2\ Scan162 | |
| Date | 24th July 1925 | |
| +4565 SECRET. To CJ. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to PN.{Mr Northey} CWB. c. to Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} E3/M24. 7. 25. INDIA CHASSIS. X.5770 <del>X5520</del> <del>X.5486</del> X.4565 Two cars arrived here yesterday, one being fitted with the latest semi-balloon tyres as now recommended by Dunlops. On first comparisons of these tyres we noticed that the car fitted with semi-low pressure tyres was much more unsteady on the road than the high pressure tyres, but as I could not understand this to be caused by low pressure tyres, I had the front shock absorbers definitely increased in friction. The result was such an improvement as to be aston-ishing. Many of the 20 HP. cars have given me a very uncom-fortable feeling across the stomach, which is evidently caused by the fore and aftpitching of this car, which is naturally worse than the 40/50. Now, the above experiments have proved beyond a doubt that this fault can be quite simply and practically entirely eliminated by the simple process of tightening the front shock absorbers. I noticed also that the steering was very much improved by this additional steadiness of the front of the car. I am sure also that the 40/50 will be improved by additional front damping friction, and the modification will render the cars considerably safer, as well as more comfortable. If the shock dampers will not supply this additional friction continually without excessive wear, they will have to be increased indimensions. In conclusion, this has always been a feature of RR. cars, and evidently contributed largely to their good reputation but it has never struck me so manifestly that it could with advantage be increased until quite recently. It is possible that the low pressure tyres require more damping but I do not think so. I think it was deficient in the first instance. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||