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).
Investigation into a hard riding complaint on Chassis No.39-FH with a Limousine body.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\2\ Scan095 | |
| Date | 6th December 1928 | |
| HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} ✓ from Mr. X4117 HX3/T6.12.28. SPRINGING. Chassis No.39-FH fitted with an Enclosed Drive Limousine body by Barkers, has just been allocated to Captain Strong for inspection and Trials purposes. The car was brought to the Works for attention to the slipper drive, and also a complaint about the hard riding. As the chassis when despatched from the Works was not intended for Trials purposes, the springing was too heavy. In accordance with an agreement with 'O' we re-spring the car for three people, keeping the springs as light as possible, consistent with maintaining the minimum clearance. We fitted springs to the latest practice, with the exception of cadmium plating. Although the springing was in some respects improved, it was disappointing to find that the harsh riding at low speeds - which is a general complaint with the 40/50 - was not improved, and the only change that we could appreciate that had been made in this respect was, that the worst point was at a slightly lower road speed. We found that by disconnecting the rear shock absorbers that the trouble was aggravated rather than improved. Disconnecting the front shock absorbers made a very marked improvement of this particular feature. The present loading of the front shock absorbers is necessary to obviate the danger of high speed wobbles, therefore it would seem there is very little one can do with regard to this particular complaint. It would be interesting to know, whether our experience on this single car is confirmed by Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} and Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} | ||