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).
Vehicle ride and handling, detailing issues with rear axle shake, damper knocks, and steering wobbles, alongside corrective actions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\3\ scan0280 | |
| Date | 26th January 1937 guessed | |
| ( 13 ) bad knocks occurred. The sideways shake of the rear axle was noticeable from the start and became very much worse as the play in the shackles increased. It appeared to shake the frame from end to end, and the movement was visible on the rear seat squab, the partition, and the radiator. When the thick leaf springs with new shackles and standard connecting tubes were first fitted, the sideways shake of the rear axle was only noticeable on extremely bad roads, but the new shackles soon wore and the shaking of the axle became bad again, and the knocks were objectionable. Rear damper knocks developed at the end of the mileage, but it should be noted that the damper arms had been changed twice. In spite of the various troubles experienced, the back seat ride was good apart from the side shake. The general stability on bad roads and freedom from throw-up over hump-backs was particularly good, and the rear axle remained steady under heavy braking. The hand control gave a useful and effective range for comfort under varying conditions, and the car remained stable whether it was set minimum or maximum. The rear roll-rod was found to be most important for preventing jazzing of the rear axle and consequent skidding as well as rolling. Steering Column & Box. LOP. F.87743. (E.type) Existing, complete to the above LOP.incorporating Rocker Shaft Pin without Splines. New parts fitted to NS.{Norman Scott}4756/7/8 Wraith II. wheel movement on Ph.III. Side Steering Tube. LOP. F.87178. Cross Steering Tubes. LOP. G.81942. The steering was free from joggles on the straight but reactions were complained of on corners. These were reduced to a minimum by fitting 3470 lbs/in. springs with 0.170 travel in the rear joint of the side steering tube. A set up load of .005" to .010" was given to prevent any chance of knocks if wear occurs. This point is important. Bad wheel wobbles developed after 17,000 miles. It was found that the poundage on the cross steering tube joints had fallen from 3.1/2 lbs. to 2.1/2 - 1.1/2 lbs. The springs in the joints were washered up to restore the poundage and no further wheel wobbles occurred. (contd) Handwritten text: Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} Cheet up of threads effect Shackles | ||