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).
Trials and modifications for controllable shock dampers, recommending a reduced ball pin load on the front axle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 16\5\ Scan179 | |
| Date | 12th January 1934 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} X 7820 E.3/HP.12.1.34. c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Ey. HSY. Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} Dn. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} --- Controllable Shock Dampers - 40/50. --- Referring to your memo Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}12/E.11.1.34, I had intended to write before about the proposed modification to the control of the Phantom 2 shock dampers but have been prevented by other matters. Last week-end I made a further trial of 22-MX{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} and on the Monday morning did some further tests with Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} The criticism of the scheme as standardised is not so much with regard to the shock damper load on the rear as with regard to the riding being too hard on the rear, and we know that this latter is very greatly affected by the springing and damping of the front axle. My impression is that the reduction of the ball pin load on the front from 400 to 200 lbs is a distinct improvement as regards the comfort and riding all round when maximum damping is in use, and as at the same time it is a considerable relief to the stresses carried by the mechanical structure of the front end of the car, I feel we ought to press to adopt this modification as soon as possible. With regard to the question of the range of the over-riding hand control, we made two tests over a rough stretch of road corresponding to Bishops Avenue conditions, and it is quite clear that at low speeds such as 30 miles an hour on such surfaces the maximum degree of damping is required to maintain controllability of the vehicle, to prevent excessive bouncing, and to keep the car straight on the road. The general recommendation is, therefore, to maintain the present hand control range and make no alteration to the governor masses, but to adopt the reduced ball pin loads on the front axle. Undoubtedly further trials will be necessary and a test on Bishops Avenue would be very informative if this road is still in the same condition as when I tried the Lincoln. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||