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).
Short trial of independent front springing on a Phantom (27-EX), noting issues with steering, noise and suspension geometry.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\2\ img006 | |
| Date | 15th January 1934 | |
| COPY. To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} E.7/HP.15.1.34. c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} re Independent Front Springing on Phantom. With regard to the above, I made a short trial of 27-EX this week-end, and it confirms my impression that a more rigid chassis frame will be required to make the best of this system. The steering gave me the impression of being very sticky on this car during the short time that I actually used it and lacking in self-centering. It does not return readily after turning a corner. A certain amount of noise is at present coming from the shock dampers, but naturally there is a considerable amount of development work to be done on this job yet. Steering reactions can be felt on a bumpy road, generally accompanied by radiator movement. There is a queer feeling about the front of the car at times when passing over road inequalities and I am wondering if this is in any way due to the geometry of the suspension which causes a certain amount of foreshortening of the track. We are aware that this phenomenon is corrected in certain instances by using suspension links of unequal length. I am hoping to make a more extensive trip on this car later on when I have more time available. | ||