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).
Technical memo discussing the negative impacts of fitting stiffer springs to cars, noting the risk of broken frames and worsened ride quality.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 54\3\ Scan191 | |
| Date | 1st March 1927 guessed | |
| contd :- -2- CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION BY A.I.D Addss. (handwritten) fitted with normal 2000 lbs. springs will hit the buffers when the static load is increased by 520 lbs. The substitution of 20% stiffer springs will reduce this static load to 353 lbs. i.e. cars sent out to run on the worst Continental roads will hit the buffers continually, where cars sprung for England would be quite immune from this trouble. We cannot but think that this anomaly is likely to be responsible for broken ex frames. Customer's Order No. (handwritten) d/d (handwritten) M.M (handwritten) Since first taking up the matter, buffer clearances of 2.900" and then 3.850 have been assigned to 20% stiffer springs. With the last clearance the increase in static load to bring the axle to the buffers with 2000 lbs. 20% stiffer road springs is 528 lbs. and at this point we understand the spring is stressed to the limit. Therefore even now we have gained absolutely nothing from the 20% stiffer spring with regard to life or immunity from crashing on the buffers, but have merely spoilt the low speed riding of the car. Sales Complaint (handwritten) As we are rather concerned about broken frames, we should be glad if you would clear this matter up and let us have some information which we can circulate to Depots. HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||