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).
Expressing serious concern over out-of-balance tyres causing high-speed wobble.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 4\3\ 03-page32 | |
| Date | 14th July 1925 | |
| x 401 c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY3/H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 14.7.25. OUT-OF-BALANCE OF TYRES. ------------------------ He. and myself are most seriously alarmed about the question of the out-of-balance of the tyre, which I have raised on two previous occasions. I must apologise for returning to the subject so quickly, but the point is we continue to turn cars out which have a most dangerous high speed wobble between 60 and 70 m.p.h. In our Instruction Book we draw attention to the fact that it is necessary for wheels to be kept in balance if reasonable results are expected, and yet we ourselves are in the position at the moment of having to turn out wheels and tyres which may be as much as 12 to 15 ounces out of balance. This figure is not a guess, it is an actual case which we have had in the Works, of a maximum of 16 ounces. The only way to get right on the job is for the Dunlop Company to supply us with new inner tubes. I do not feel there is any advantage to be reaped by the Dunlop People having handed the matter over to Mr.Bond for consideration, as he is an Experimental man; we are quite well assured ourselves of the cause of the trouble and the remedy. What we want is not an argument, but a remedy. Is it possible to get Colonel Matthew to come here, and hear our views on the subject first-hand, if this will impress him more. If he cannot come here, He. and myself will make a special journey to Fort Dunlop. The reason for the memo is that we both feel that we are putting a dangerous instrument in the hands of the driver, when it can develop high speed wobbles with the characteristics and magnitude of the one we are discussing. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} [Handwritten signature: Ry] | ||