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).
Origin, testing, and proposed modifications for shock absorbers for standard cars.
| Identifier | Morton\M2.4\ img019 | |
| Date | 16th October 1919 | |
| To BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} from EH. ORIGINAL EH3/LG16.10.19. (2) RE SHOCK ABSORBERS FOR STANDARD CARS. With reference to your request for information so that you can obtain the signatures of "R" and "CJ" for the standardisation of these parts before they have run 10,000 miles, below is all the information we have yet:- Origin. These shock absorbers were designed because tests made on 7-CA car proved that Trauffault shock absorbers fitted to the rear of the chassis made a decided improvement. These shock absorbers are similar in action to the Trauffault but are made suitable for the R.R. chassis. One point which should be emphasized is that when the decided improvement was noted on 7-CA, that car was running with springs anchored under the axle. Road Test Report. 1.EX - they have run now for 3,740 miles. One set was fitted to 49-GB which have run 1,800 miles. At first we had trouble with the shock absorber arm fouling the frame but since we have shortened the rear springs and set the arm further out, we have had no further trouble. We do not consider that we know sufficiently yet about these shock absorbers to say that the loading is correct or that the various ranges of the varying loads of friction is correct. We have not been able to get this information because we have not had a car in our hands to carry out this work. 1.EX car and 49-GB have always been used for testing, what was considered, more urgent pieces. Mr. Royce has instructed a number of modifications to be carried out on these shock absorbers. A set of the modified shock absorbers have not yet been made; it will be one week before one set is completed. We have not yet tested these shock absorbers on the bump, but we consider this is very necessary before they are adopted as standard. We are proposing to do this when we have received, what we know at present to be, the final design of the shock absorber. My personal opinion is that there is no necessity to rush these shock absorbers on to the chassis. I believe Cont.d | ||