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).
Relaying messages from 'R' (Royce) regarding issues with car spring friction and stiffness.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\3\ scan0031 | |
| Date | 18th July 1924 | |
| Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from BJ. BJ10/H18.7.24. X9410 E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} A.{Mr Adams} C. We received yesterday the following telephone message from R:- "Consider bad impression chiefly due to internal friction on springs. If car still unsatisfactory with flexible and frictionless rear springs fit same car with three sets of front springs, one old standard, one 25% stiffer, one 12% stiffer, taking care that friction is equal and especially the minimum in the stiffer springs. Do not consider radius rods desirable or necessary and fear they are too complicated and will wear noisy. Be aware new springs naturally have more internal friction because after use 'nip' is reduced and surfaces bed better and do not squeeze out lubricant. You will remember demand has been for more friction. Swimming cars are not fast and make people sick. We have found it necessary for some time to reduce this. Sales trials cars sometimes have the thick leaf springs favoured by P.N. These have hardly any internal friction." We have this afternoon received a wire from R.{Sir Henry Royce} reading as follows:- "Still consider it is not 25 per cent increased stiffness which is the chief cause of complaint but different back springing and internal friction of new and recent supply of springs. However if it is reduced to 12 per cent which extra stiffness is required for other than brake reasons since 40 per cent of the braking on front proportionate braking to spring would only reduce total braking four per cent which would not be perceptible - Royce." B.J. | ||