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).
The bumping and road tests of the 40/50 HP front axle control, discussing braking performance and suggesting changes.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\2April1927-June1927\ 78 | |
| Date | 1st May 1927 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c.c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c.c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c.c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} ORIGINAL Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}11/LCG:5.27. X8420 X8430 40/50 HP: FRONT AXLE CONTROL. We have completed 100 hrs. bumping test on the front axle control without mechanical failure of any of the parts concerned. We have also conducted road tests which have so far proved that the steering is entirely unaffected by brake application on a corner when this device is fitted. The general impression now created is that there is too much braking on the rear causing unnecessary rear skidding. We feel that we should like to revert to our previous standard of 40% braking on the front when the torque control is adopted, because the danger of steerings taking charge has now been eliminated and we have a better servo device since the introduction of the flexibility. The high maximum speeds of the Phantom make powerful brakes a great asset. An additional tribute of the torque control is that it lessens the disturbance which takes place due to the spring movement after a violent stop has been made, because since the spring cannot twist up it has no tendency to untwist when the car finally comes to rest. This removes some of the discomfort of sudden stops. In connection with this it has occurred to us contd :- | ||