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).
Suspension tests on the Phantom II, focusing on front spring stiffness to resolve 'jellying' and pitching issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 16\7\ Scan241 | |
| Date | 12th April 1930 | |
| X7410 To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} ( Held up ) c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/MJ12.4.30. X7410 X7005 PHANTOM II SUSPENSION. During our recent tests on radiator 'jellying' we had occasion to fit 25% stiffer and 25% more flexible front road springs. We changed these about on different cars and the results in every case indicated that the tendency to pitching, particularly from 40/50 M.P.H. was greatly increased with stiffer front springs. Presumably the ratio of front spring rating to rear spring rating produces this result, as it confirms exactly the tests we made on Phantom II. Unfortunately, these low rating front springs had a bad effect on the selectivity of the steering at high speeds. However, this confirms that lower rating front springs do provide a means of satisfying difficult customers with regard to springing, and in the case of such owners who do not habitually drive at high speeds, would appear to be worth consideration in the event of complaints arising. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||