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).
Results of friction tests on thin-leaf and thick-leaf cantilever springs, both rusty and greased.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\E\November1920\ Scan36 | |
| Date | 6th November 1920 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from He. c. to CJ. c. to EN. c. to EY. [struck through] c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BP. c. to EWT. for R.{Sir Henry Royce} Inc. [struck through] ORIGINAL RECEIVED 2 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/LG6.11.20. X.2748 FRICTION IN CANTILEVER SPRINGS. We have carried out a number of tests measuring the amount of friction in different types of cantilever springs, under different conditions. The curves attached show the difference in friction between thin leaf and thick leaf springs when rusty and when greased. When the springs were tested the centre bearing and clips were fixed in the spring. The results shown by measuring the friction confirm the results obtained on the road test i.e., when the springs are greased there is practically no difference between the thin leaf and thick leaf springs but there is a big difference between them when they are rusty. Owing to the fact that as soon as the thick leaf springs are rusty they squeak and make a noise, one would expect they would be more frequently greased than thin leaf springs. We cannot say we are out of our spring troubles when we revert to the thin leaf springs. When the car is new they should give the same effect on an undulating road as the present springs and if they are run without being greased so that they give an enormous amount of friction, we shall get complaints from 90% of our customers in England. We feel that we are certainly right in persevering with the Ferodo interleaving Contd. R.R. 235A (100 T) (S.H. 159. 11-8-20) G 2800 | ||