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).
Front spring failures during tests in France on a 40/50 HP Landaulet, chassis 9-PK, comparing two different suppliers.
| Identifier | Morton\M3.4\ img011 | |
| Date | 8th August 1924 | |
| 9PK FWB FRONT SPRING FAILURES ON FRENCH TESTS ORIGINAL FIRTHS - SPRINGS To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. EJ. c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer}✓ Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/LG23. 8.8.24. 4940 4941 TESTS IN FRANCE ON 12 1/2% SPRINGS. These springs are being tested on chassis 9-PK. (40/50 HP. Landaulet) in France. The O.S. front spring failed after 6,200 miles. The second leaf from the bottom was found broken where it is held by the patent 'D' clip, and the 3rd. leaf from the bottom was found broken 4" from its front end. A new spring was fitted. At 6,900 miles, the N.S. front spring failed - the top leaf was broken 1 1/4" from the rear end. We have been carrying out tests on the bumping rig with these springs; so far we have had one spring fail after 13 hrs. - top leaf, another spring failed after 17 hrs. - top leaf. The average life is approx. 18 hrs. The spring question is complicated because of the fact that we are receiving springs from two suppliers. We pointed out very early on that if it was intended to use Firths springs, we must use them throughout the tests on 4-wheel brakes. On the first test, Firths springs were fitted although the top plate was forged by Woodheads and the Woodhead type clip was used. Those springs were used for the first scheme of 4-wheel brakes and on the bumping test - they were practically all used up on the bumping test. No more springs were obtained from Firths for a time and nearly all the recent tests in France have been run with Woodhead springs. contd :- | ||