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 and premature wear issues of Hartford shock absorbers fitted to cars.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\I\June1922\ Scan34 | |
| Date | 22th June 1922 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Do. c. to HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} c. to HP. ORIGINAL Hel/LG22.6.22. X4426 "HARTFORD" SHOCK ABSORBERS. We have now fitted approximately 20 sets of these shock absorbers and there are 20 or 30 cars waiting to have them fitted. Nearly all of these shock absorbers have been paid for by the customers. We have had no criticisms as regards the efficiency of the shock absorber, and by means of them, we have been able to make a number of customers satisfied with their cars. The weakness in the Hartford Shock Absorber is wear on the Universal Joints. We have had cases of wear developing after 2000 or 3000 miles and causing noise. We have taken this matter up with the makers and have had their representative at the Works. The two cases which were investigated for this noise, we found had not been fitted up in the correct manner. The spring washers had not been fitted, which follow up any end wear on the joint. They claim that if these spring washers had been fitted, no dirt or grit could have got on the faces to cause wear. If once there is side movement, a rattle will develop, also slack sideways allows grit to get into the bush. We pointed out to them that although they might not have trouble on other makes of cars, the rear springs on the R-R cars were more flexible and had a bigger range of movement than the average cars. Also, when we use these springs in connection with thick leaf springs, we require them to provide a considerable amount of friction. Their representative has promised to submit to us shock absorbers contd: | ||