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 report on issues and improvements for springing, couplings, steering, and clutches.
| Identifier | Morton\M19\ img027 | |
| Date | 18th February 1931 | |
| -2- the split piston and solid lever, similar as fitted to the Lovejoy damper are being carried out with a view of fitting them to the present damper. Item (3) Springing. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} and Ltd. have been carrying out extensive work to obtain the best compromise for all round springing. The present troubles in service can be classified as follows. Excessive weight of Body 10%, Springs rusting up 20% (P.I) insufficient buffer clearance 30%, shock dampers and failing loads 20%. The first item has been dealt with by fitting stronger springs. The second by grooving the springs and centralised lubrication. Third, cars were sent out with too small a buffer clearance, this has now been increased. Fourth, attention to shock dampers to prevent loss of load. There are few complaints of the present production of springing for English roads. The Americans require a much softer springing and work is being carried out to obtain these results. Item (4) Fabric Couplings. Although the December quarter shows an increase of fabric coupling failure, there is no recurrent failure reported after the fitting of the new riveted coupling. The Works have improved the method of producing the coupling and tests taken at intervals have proved them superior to previous production. The Expl. Dept are still persevering with tests with a view of getting a longer life from the coupling. Item (5) Steering. The chief troubles with steering is the inclination to wobble at high speeds, and joggles of the steering wheel. There was trouble with lost poundage on the cross steering tube. This has been dealt with and a depot sheet has been sent out dealing with the tightening up of the ball contacts, better lubrication has been provided. The loss in poundage of the front shock dampers due to loss of oil, valves etc. has been another cause of the above. The attention being given to the dampers will overcome this feature. The rattles of the controls have been attended to by making the oiling of same accessible. This is now on production. The uneven wearing of the front tyres has been dealt with by depot sheet HD.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}160. The side steering tube knocks have been dealt with by depot sheet HD.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}160. There have been cases of instability of the steering. These have been chiefly due to the uneven loading of the dampers. The stability of the steering can be made more positive by fitting stronger springs and increasing the damper loading 1.4. Continental cars. Item (6) Clutches. The new clutch material is giving satisfactory | ||