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).
Comparison of wishbone and Dubonnet type independent suspension systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\1\ scan0128 | |
| Date | 16th March 1934 | |
| C O P Y. x3873 March 16, 1934. INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION. A COMPARISON OF TYPES. Discussion at the moment centers about the transverse "wisbone" type versus the "fixed kingpin" or Dubonnet type. We cannot claim to have more than the beginnings of a true understanding of the subject but Goodyear's dynamic tire research of the last two years is helping to clear up our ideas. The wishbone suspension has the following qualities compared with Dubonnet :- (1) Cheaper to manufacture. (2) Equally good steering geometry. (3) Escapes concentration of mass out near the wheel and consequent slowing down of the frame frequency. (4) More efficient use of spring steel. The ratio of wire diameter to coil diameter on the Dubonnet gets to be pretty high with consequent high stress on the inside of the coil. (5) Better arrangement of bump and rebound stops. (6) Better for jacking up the wheel. (7) Squares the outer tire with the road on corners and can be arranged to give a rolling center well above ground level without excessive tire scrub. (8) A much stronger structure for the same weight of material. The objection is sometimes raised that an "imperfect" wheel action will cause gyroscopic kick at the steering wheel. | ||