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 and potential improvements for the New Phantom's springing system, including friction, greasing, and damping.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67a\2\ scan0185 | |
| Date | 27th September 1928 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. FN. c. CWB. c. BJ. Y8410 EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}12/H27.9.28. re. NEW PHANTOMCodename for PHANTOM I SPRINGING. I have noted the correspondence with regard to the above. In view of the points raised re importance of spring friction, we have taken up the matter on new chassis on test. We have made quite sure that the spring leaves are thoroughly greased whilst chassis are on test. If new springs are fitted prior to the chassis being despatched, (which is often the case with Stock cars, or in the case of change of specification), these spring leaves are being finally greased just prior to fixing. Careful final inspection is being given before acceptance that spring lubrication is O.K. It has not been thought worth while to do further than this at the moment, but the suggestion has been made that the springs might be again greased just prior to the chassis being accepted for delivery, i/e.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} when the spring gaiters are being finally fixed. Is this extra expense considered advisable? I can certainly appreciate from the inspections we have made of new springs on new cars on test that the bedding question raised in Hm{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}/NRC{N. R. Chandler}7/MW22.9.28 does exist, as even the bedding on new springs shows distinct signs of bedding only on the places mentioned in this memo. If it is found necessary for the Repair Dept. to dismantle and re-bed springs after only a few miles running, should it not be considered whether all springs, before being fixed to new chassis, should be bedded similarly, until action can be taken to obtain better bedding of springs from the makers? I recently had occasion to complain of a car (not R-R) on which the springing was not satisfactory, the cause of which was chiefly a question of inconsistent spring damping. I arranged to have the springs changed over for springs of similar strength, interleaved with sheet zinc, and although at first the springing of the car did not seem to be any better, it certainly now seems to have settled down and is very much improved. How long this will remain so I do not know, it is not my intention to bother with spring leaf lubrication. It occurred to me that probably this information may be interesting and may be a line of action on which we might further experiment, (if cadmium plating cannot be condoned). EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||