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 failures of radiator suspension and axle control dampers during chassis bumper tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 119\2\ scan0311 | |
| Date | 3rd December 1928 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL. X. 8772. 3.12.28. S.S. CHASSIS BUMPER TESTS. Conditions of bumping as on all previous bumper tests viz. tyre pressures 60 lbs/sq.in. 1 1/4" bumper cams etc. The first weakness shewn up on this test was the radiator suspension. After 15 mins the stud (E.78163) in the near side suspension worked loose, this was tightened in again; after a further four hours the stud worked loose again, the loosening off of the stud reduced the available spring load causing the spherical packing E.78160 to be pulped up damaging the stud and the spherical mounting. The stud was sweated into the radiator bottom tank before commencing again and a temporary spring approximately 25% stronger than the original one was employed. Under this condition the test continued for a further 5 hours 45 mins. when the stud broke as shewn in the sketch attached. The stud was not bent in any way, simply broken cleanly. This appears to indicate that the spring tension is sufficient but the stud is not a sufficiently strong fixing. The axle control dampers are also weak. After 6 1/4 hours both intermediate levers F.79313, and F.79314 (n/s. and o/s) broke. New control dampers were fitted but after a further 1 3/4 hours the intermediate levers in these failed the one in the offside damper broke completely, the one in the near side damper had started to crack. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AJL. | ||