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).
Description of the vehicle's suspension system, detailing the semi-elliptic springs and hydraulic dampers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 14\5\ Scan133 | |
| Date | 16th September 1929 guessed | |
| (4) The centre casing carrying the hypoid gears and the differential is of aluminium, but so arranged that the aluminium is on compression only. Thus a construction is obtained which is both light and strong. SUSPENSION. The suspension is by semi-elliptic springs controlled by our patented hydraulic dampers both front and rear. The hydraulic dampers have be long experimenting been made more effective. It is important to remember that they are used to take the brake action of the front axle. This makes the steering safer against the disturbing action of the front wheel brakes. The rear damper has been raised to give more ground clearance, while all joints and bearings in both dampers are in the central lubricating system, as regards their arrangement, follow the practice of the R.{Sir Henry Royce} Co. for some time past, but they have been made rather longer, and are fitted with an improved system of lubrication described below. Our special RR. hydraulic dampers prevent harsh riding, and at the same time steady the car against any unsteady swaying. These have been made more vigourous and effective as is necessary and possible with larger tyres and less friction in the road springs. The semi-elliptic rear springs, which are carried below the axle in the manner found so satisfactory on the 20HP, are very long and flexible. The additional support which they give to the rear end of the frame enables a redistribution of the whole car to be effected, resulting in much improved riding qualities. Extensive experiments have shewn that the riding is improved by increasing the fore and aft moment of inertia of the car. In the new RR. this has been done by moving the weight as much as possible towards the axles, but especially towards the rear axle. It has been found that the weight carried behind the rear axle is of special benefit, as the moment of inertia is improved and reduces the load on the steering wheels at the front, making steering, parking etc. easier. The RR. engineers have designed a variety of types of spare wheels and luggage carriers enabling both wheel and luggage to be carried at the rear to suit all requirements. Both the front and rear end shackles are totally enclosed and are connected to the central lubrication system, thus removing the need for attention. The oil from the central system, having supplied the shackle pins, is led by grooves and holes to the end of all the spring leaves, ensuring adequate lubrication, and avoiding corrosion, resulting in increased friction. | ||