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).
Continued road test report on the performance of the suspension and steering systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 108\3\ scan0170 | |
| Date | 4th April 1938 | |
| -2- Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}1/N.4.4.38. Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} Suspension - Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} At no time during the run on the Continent did there appear to be any need to increase the amount of damping in the hard position. On the contrary during the journey from Dover to Derby, there did appear to be a need for more damping on certain stretches of undulating road. This may not be easy to achieve and we may have to accept this car as the best compromise. The ride in the rear seats is good, except for sideways shake which is very noticeable on certain road surfaces. This is a feature which requires further investigation. There are no audible knocks from the suspension or shock absorbers and the system generally is free from oil leaks. Steering. Light and selective and reasonably free from joggle, is definitely better than the average P.III. After long runs particularly on straight roads, the steering tightens up temporarily. This should be overcome by the use of needle roller bearings to pivots as fitted to 27-G-VI, which so far are very satisfactory. Whilst the steering is very good and better than anything we have previously produced, it could be further improved by reducing the sideways shake of the column which occurs on certain types of road surface. Rattle in steering column when cornering has been proved by Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/IMW.{Ivan M. Waller - Head of Chateauroux} to be due to hammering of the spring loaded contact pieces in the side steering tube which is "telegraphed" up the column. This feature exists on other Wraiths, notably 27-G-VI, and is being investigated. Cont'd... | ||