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).
Analysis of competitor vehicle suspension systems, weight distribution, and damping characteristics.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\1\ scan0106 | |
| Date | 12th February 1934 | |
| -3- (D) OPEL ARRANGEMENT. When cornering, centrifugal Force X acts on the mass of the spring container and produces a troque which tends to cancel the self-centering of the wheel. (E) WEIGHT DISPOSITION. The Cadillac with independent suspension has about equal weights front and rear. The Chrysler without independent suspension but 4 1/2" deflection has 1950 lbs. on front and 1450 on rear, 115" wheelbase. (F) The damping used on the front of the Cadillac is about 50 lbs. at the wheel with a certain amount of pressure velocity effect super posed, i.e. - [GRAPH] Y-Axis: 50LBS LOAD X-Axis: OIL VEL. (G) In all the lever schemes, whether Dubonnet, Leon Laisore or others, there is a tendency for the car to either resist or exaggerate the normal tendency to dip when the brake torque is applied to the wheels. Oy. has made a study of this, a copy of which I will let you have later. (H) INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION. Cadillacs have three cars running about fitted with a scheme which consists of radius arms running backwards about 20" long. The driving shafts are fitted with mechanics joints having needle bearings, and appear to stand up very well, but the spline dia. has been increased to reduce tendency to stick under torque that we have noticed. These shafts move through 15° i.e., 4" bump and 4" rebound. The shaft mounting is insulated from the frame. | ||