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).
Several outstanding technical issues with the 'SS' chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\2\ scan0223 | |
| Date | 31th January 1929 | |
| To DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} [Handwritten: X7770] Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}6/LG31.1.29. 'SS{S. Smith}' CHASSIS. [Handwritten: X7770 Y4663] There are a few points still requiring attention on the 'SS{S. Smith}'. (1) Our own experience has shewn, and the Bijur experts confirm, that we shall not get satisfactory lubrication of the axle control damper ball ends by leading the oil up to the tri-angular member as at present. We want to revert to the method employed on 12-EX where the ball end lubricating pipe is carried along the shock damper arm. (2) For the time being we are committed to 30° cams. G.W.H. reports that these get dry. Can we improve their chances of lubrication? N.sch. 2538 assumes English driving conditions for adequate cam lubrication. Must they always be started on the Continent with reverse road camber? (3) Cross steering tube balls. These have caused trouble in France. We have written to you making a suggestion. (4) We have tried out the solid coupling in the gearbox and prefer it to the fabric coupling. (5) We have broken the strengthened shaft in the axle control dampers. We send you under separate cover the fractured sample. This ran 18 hrs. on the bump rig before failing. The one on the other side has run 30 hrs. We have had no failure of the new cases or other levers so feel these front dampers are nearly O.K. apart from this shaft. contd :- | ||