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).
Steering performance and radiator 'jellying' on a Phantom II Coupé during road tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\3\ Scan390 | |
| Date | 1st April 1930 | |
| 87430. To: Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Re: Phantom II Steering We have just had a most interesting test of steering on a Coupé Phantom II on a really bad bit of road, rather like the stretch that used to exist between Orléans and Etampes. The body was so free from rattles and the suspension was so good that one could drive at 50-60 M.P.H. with no discomfort, except from the steering which, under this violent treatment, was abominable even at 25-30 M.P.H. I can find nothing wrong except the toe-in which was 7/8" for some strange reason. I checked up another P.II toe-in which was 5/8" so that for some reason the Works setting does not seem to be within the limits. We are told that in Poland and Eastern Europe generally this type of road would be the rule rather than the exception. One would like to increase the front shock-absorber loading, but one can already see the front of the frame twisting excessively, so that this does not seem feasible. Possibly the 1" wider front track that we have on 23-EX with the altered wheels may improve this condition. I hope that when 23-EX has been completed we shall be able to get another car ready with the new tubular members in front and a softer rear engine mounting, as the tests we have been making in Derby seem to emphasise that while a stiff frame and stiff front springs do not cure jellying, they improve the steering. Again, since 1-WJ appears to be the worst example of radiator movement we are likely to get in customers' hands, the single point radiator mounting will deal with this complaint, leaving us some latitude with the engine mounting. Without labouring the point further, I would have reported on radiator jellying as being O.K. on all the cars I have tried, while in every case, except possibly Fairey's car, I think engine fuss was excessive. RHm | ||