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).
Issues with rear hydraulics and drilled high-pressure valves on 'SS' model cars following testing on French roads.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 16\4\ Scan065 | |
| Date | 26th March 1929 | |
| X7520 To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/LG26.3.29. REAR HYDRAULICS ON 'SS{S. Smith}'. X235 With reference to the telegram from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} in which he stated that the first SS.{S. Smith} cars should not have road springs grooved for lubrication. The reason for this decision was that the springing of the car appeared to be altogether too little damped when running at high speeds on French roads. We have since had a telegram from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} in which he states that the drilled high pressure valves on the rear dampers were causing the trouble and that when the hole in these was blocked up, the springing was quite satisfactory. We therefore presume R.{Sir Henry Royce} will wish to continue with the scheme for lubricating the springs. We were not aware, when the cars went to France, that this drilled high pressure valve had been instructed by DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} for the SS.{S. Smith}, as we specifically asked that this modification should be confined to the 20 HP. in our Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/LG 11.3.29. It is therefore apparent that no more SS.{S. Smith} rear hydraulic high pressure valves should be drilled. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||