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).
Investigation report into hard riding caused by failures in the chassis lubrication system and suspension components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\4\ scan0141 | |
| Date | 26th July 1935 | |
| HOTEL DE FRANCE. CHATEAUROUX. Indre. France. To. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From. G.W.H. 3. S. I. SPECTRECodename for Phantom III. We have had to hold the Car up to investigate the hard riding that has developed. We located this to the rear. The cause is shortage of lubricating oil to the rear springs and the N.S. Damper initial load having increased from 60 lbs. to 80 lbs. The whole of the rear of the Car is suffering from lack of Chassis lubrication. Oil had ceased to lubricate the rear road springs at the front & rear anchorages. The leaves were rusted up. The oil channel & holes were blocked up with rusty sludge at both ends of both springs. The Hydraulic damper connecting links were dry at the top, and the bronze cups badly worn. The O.S. was dry, top and bottom. The torsion rod spherical bearings were almost in a similar condition, just moist. Both bearings were slack and knocking, <s>a N° O Bijur was fitted to supply these.</s> We are fitting a N° I. The bearings of the torsion rod arm links were dry. The O.S. in a poor condition. The lay out of the pipe line for the Damper and Torsion connecting links is very poor. There is a short pipe feeding the rear side and a long pipe, full length of the Axle taken from one three way connection. The short pipe feeds the N.S. the long pipe the O.S. The feed pipe should be taken to the centre of the Axle & two even lengths of pipe either side, feeding the connecting links. The Bijur Tank Pump does not give sufficent supply of oil per one stroke to effeciently lubricate the Chassis units. It does not deliver the same amount as the large R.R. Pump. We have had to increase the amount delivered to the steering arms and centre pivot. We increased the bijur from an ought to N° I for the Clutch trunion. Now we have fitted N° 3 to the front anchorage of the road springs and a free bijur to the rear anchorage. DAMAGE BY STONES. The bottom of the rear Damper connecting links, have been bent by stones (see sketch). This should & could be shortened I/2 an inch to lessen the leverage effect of a stone hitting same(see sk). DAMPERS. We fitted protection plates on the Phantom for the ends of the dampers. These Dampers will soon need new Cylinders. The ends are almost through. | ||