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).
Standardisation of well base wheels and tyres, addressing issues like high-speed steering wobble and tyre noise.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 42\1\ Scan037 | |
| Date | 19th February 1926 | |
| To BJ. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to FN. c. to CWB. c. to KP. X3809 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LG19.2.26. WELL BASE WHEELS AND TYRES. Mr. Royce, in a recent memo., recommended that well base wheels and tyres should be standardised at once. It would appear wise to delay this until we have overcome high speed steering wobbles. From the results we are obtaining from the hydraulic dampers, we anticipate that we shall have standardised these in 3 months time and that then, as regards steering wobbles, there will be no reason why well base rims and tyres cannot be used. So far on experimental cars we have run 11,000 miles on the Phantom fitted with well base wheels and 5" tyres, and 12,000 miles on the 20 HP. One of the complaints raised against the new tyres is the noise from the tread. We have taken this matter up with the Dunlop Co. We attach a copy of their reply. We agree with them that the new tread is a better non-skid pattern. We want, if possible, to get this question of noise settled so that by the time we have completed the hydraulic dampers, we shall be able to make a decision as regards the tyres. In the past we have taken up the question of noise with Messrs. Dunlops with the present tyres - this has been done by Sales and Derby - but Dunlops could not help us. In this case we consider their policy of making the tyre a better non-skid so that it is safer on the present roads, is the best compromise. For trials cars it may be a serious objection, but for an owner, when he knows that the car is safer to drive, he may prefer this at the expense of slight increase in tyre noise. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||