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 solutions related to suspension, dampers, and steering systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 109\4\ scan0202 | |
| Date | 10th August 1939 guessed | |
| ( 4 ) SUSPENSION & DAMPERS. Trouble experienced with loss of poundage of front dampers entirely due to dirt in main valves. With controlable valves the small needle stuck. The floating brass sleeve became locked with dirt. Non-controlable valves fitted and same trouble experienced, the poundage disappearing and returning during the running. Splines of front dampers found rough and bitty. Cleaned up as recommended and dampers cleaned out, but dirt still found in valves subsequently. The replenishing valve seats have worn very badly causing grunting. These have been re-seated. Hardened seats have already been called for on production. The small leaks in the replenishing valve rivets became blocked with dirt. These have been blocked up and nicks put in valve seat as sample sent from Derby to overcome dirt trouble. A spring ring fell out of one piston and damaged the valve and seat and bottom of piston; this was made good. Similar trouble has never occurred before. Forward thrust face of brass bushes worn due to thrust from yoke. This is aggravated by the sharp slot in the rocker. Ride satisfactory when front dampers are functioning correctly. When front hits buffers, the impact is too severe. Longer and softer front buffers are being developed. Rebound brackets fouled the top of the torque arms, these have been cut away. The cross steering tubes just foul the rear top corners of the holes in the torque arms. This also occurred on S.B.V. Modification is required. O.S. lower lever is back at centre silentbloc under-pan and rubs bracket causing squeaks. Both yokes are right forward at top. With load taken off springs, this position is maintained. Leaks from glands of rear damper - O.S.R. very bad. No other trouble experienced from rear dampers. Creaks from rear spring interleaving. N.S. rear spring centre bolt broke in neck of head, allowing axle to move along spring. Spring bolts checked on O.S. found 1/2 turn loose probably sinkage of interleaving. Rubber seals on shackles in good condition. STEERING. Joggling complained of due to uneven tyre wear is not so bad as experienced on P.III or Wraith under similar tyre wear. Directional stability is influenced by tyre size. 7.50 on 5.1/2" rims are the best tested to date and permit use of low pressures to reduce shake and harshness. | ||