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).
Customer complaints regarding knocking shock absorbers and an evaluation of potential alternative suppliers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 16\4\ Scan188 | |
| Date | 30th June 1930 | |
| - Oy-2 - 2 - (3) The complaints on this score still remain about the largest and most expensive single item on our monthly complaint reports. The fact that the shock absorber has to be partly dismantled to get it in the car adds not only to the expense, but to the difficulty in diagnosing and eliminating the noise. (4) Not only this, but we know that the unsavory reputation of our shock absorbers has cost us sales. We were setting our teeth and swearing to get the thing right when we got your latest list of complaints from Derby, Cricklewood, and Paris. Here we find under knocking shock absorbers up to June 1930:- Type Last Quarter This Quarter PI 25 24 PII 21 33 20 HP 75 35 25 HP 10 12 In face of the above, knowing the enormous care you take in machining and assembly, and the extremely careful handling of the instruments when replacing them in service, we are prepared to say that the R.R. hydraulics in their present form are not good enough. Axle control is the only thing which has held our nose to the grindstone so long. Now we find that Delco, who inherited the Lovejoy, have developed, or are developing, axle-control instruments. We are going to find out what they can offer, and if we can get anything suitable we propose to try it immediately. I attach a print of an earlier form of the Delco horizontal, from which you will see that it has the same general functions as the R.R. with L.P. and H.P. valves both external and non-adjustable. It seems only to lack a well arranged air-release. The only release is up the threads of the cap at the L.P. end and so to the return hole shown. A ball valve release with an .030 hole at the L.P. end would probably improve this instrument and make it free from back pressure. If the Delco does not work out there are any number of others to try. Spicer, who have been making the Houdaillle for Ford, now have brought out one of their own, on the lines of the R.R., but I think too much of a "velocity" instrument, like the Houdaille. The "Two Way" has given good results in Chicago. We have told you about this. It is an adjustable velocity instrument with overload blow off valves. (Continued) | ||