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 with front spring fittings working loose and proposing design modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\3\ Scan119 | |
| Date | 22th May 1922 | |
| Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R. {Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. c. to Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to BY. {R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to HY. {Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} X.4261. RE FRONT SPRINGS.( Hs {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 2/LG19.5.22 ) X.4261. With reference to the clamping of the front springs to the axle, all cars are troubled with this fitting working loose frequently I expect in a new car and afterwards more slowly in older cars. In our 40/50, to economise the length of the front springs the clips were put rather too close together. We have abandoned this on the Goshawk where the clips are at a much more satisfactory distance. We have instructed that the 40/50 shall be altered as soon as convenient. 's regards the fitting of the first Goshawk, I feel sure that this was poor if it was carried out by the same department as No.4. Also I am fully convinced that the sheath was only bearing on the extreme edges of the top plate of the spring. This was so in No.4., and was noticed to be so by yourself. To be sure that this does not happen, I have lately suggested the fitting of a plate on the top of the main plate, having corners which will continue the radius of those on the top plate, and so permit the sheath and clips to have more practical radius. Though we think the 7/16" a good dimension for the clips a set might be tried, made ¼". These would bear rougher treatment, and with the better fitting corner, might give a lasting tightness. You will remember that it was our policy with any car to start with everything as light as we dared, and by testing contd:- | ||