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).
Letter from Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. regarding a complaint about difficulty detaching an SS tire from a rim.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 42\5\ Scan025 | |
| Date | 29th September 1920 | |
| FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY Akron Ohio GIE:S Boston, Mass. September 29, 1920. Mr.N.H.Manning, Rolls-Royce of America, Inc. Springfield, Mass. Dear Mr.Manning, I received on my return to the branch, your letter of the 23rd in regard to the complaint which Mr.Royce made on the difficulty in detaching the Firestone SS{S. Smith} Tire from the rim, and am very sorry I did not have the opportunity to go into matter at the time of my call, as I feel that I could have explained the matter to you somewhat better than by correspondence. This is the first time that this difficulty has ever been called to my attention. In fact, it is the first time that I have ever heard of such a difficulty with Fireston tires, and it seems to me that undoubtedly there must have been something wrong with the rim from which Mr. Royce was detaching the tire. Would suggest to you that you have him look the rim over very carefully and see that it is not bent or marred in any way, as this is frequently the cause of a great deal of difficulty in detaching tires. The diameter of the bead of a U.S. Royal Cord tire and a Firestone, or any other make, must be identically the same in order to fit on any of the respective makes of rims, as all rims are of S.A.E. dimensions. The only difference in the bead of the U.S. Royal Cord is the fact that it is slightly smaller bead in its width than the bead on any other tire manufactured. This, however, I understand has been changed somewhat in the construction of the latest tires which they are now building, as they have found that the smaller bead has allowed for a "heel and toe" action detrimental to the life of the tire. The engineers of the respective tire manufacturers have gone into this matter most thoroughly, and appreciate the fact that the bead on a SS{S. Smith} tire must be very rigid and firm in order not to allow any actionof the bead on the base of the rim. This rigidity, however, does not enter into any diametrical dimensions, it is simply a stiffening of the bead. Any action which takes place on the bead of a SS{S. Smith} tire tends to chafe the tire at the point of contact between the tire and the flare of the flange of the rim. Undoubtedly, I will be | ||