Rolls-Royce Archives
         « Prev  Box Series  Next »        

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).
Wheel balance issues, high-speed wobbles, and tests related to the 'SS' front axle.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 29\1\  Scan336
Date  27th June 1928
  
4457

To DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}

Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rml/LG27.6.28.

'SS{S. Smith}' FRONT AXLE. X7420

With reference to your query in DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}2/M22.6.28.

We did some tests in 1925 on this subject (see Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rml/LG 31.8.25 and Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}6/LG2.9.25). The conclusion that we came to was that even with 2 lbs. out of balance and 5 1/4" out of centre point, we were better off with regard to high speed wobbles than if we had the same amount of out of balance and centre point steering.

At the present moment we should never guarantee a car to be safe from high speed wobbles if a wheel was more than .5 lbs. out of balance.

We will do a careful test to see if .5 lbs. out of balance can be felt on the steering wheel with tyres 1.75" out of centre point.

We think wheels appreciably out of balance are an exception today, and have no sympathy with the owner who complains of his steering and yet will not use the balance weights provided.

Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
  
  


Copyright Sustain 2025, All Rights Reserved.    whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙