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).
The performance, testing, and proposed alterations for controllable shock dampers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 16\5\ Scan178 | |
| Date | 1st January 1934 | |
| X7520 To Eg. From Hw/Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} To Nor. To R.{Sir Henry Royce} To By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} To Hiy. To CX.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} To Dn. Hw/Les.6/KMC.1.34. Controllable Shock Dampers - 40/50. The maximum damper loads with our system are, front 400 lbs, and rear 300 lbs. The same pieces are used for all dampers, but the difference in loads is due to the actual damper levers being shorter in front. In our opinion the range to the rear dampers should be greater than that to the front. Differences in body weights, number of passengers and luggage, laden the rear springs much more than the front. We have now got a car running with the load to the front dampers reduced 50%, the loads now being, front 200 lbs., and rear 300 lbs. The car is less harsh in the hard position, and yet the damping for controllability is sufficient. The only adverse criticism is that the steering road shocks are a little more pronounced. However, the road shocks are still a long way better than cars with fixed load dampers. We should like to fit up 104-MY with the same arrangement for your criticism. The alteration which is made by fitting a smaller diameter control bellows in the front dampers involves no scrap when introduced to production. The bellows taken out of the front damper can be used on other rear dampers. The advantage is such that we should like to introduce the alteration to production as soon as possible. We are covered by running 40 hrs. on the Bumper chassis, and hope to have completed 100 hrs. by next Tuesday. If you are agreeable to the conversion of 104-MY, will you please let us know when your car can be available at Cricklewood for a full day. During the 10,000 miles test for controllable shock dampers on 22-MX{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}, the front wings and head lamps rattled loose. The reduced front damper loads will increase the reliability of the front of the car. Hw/I.A.Leslie. | ||