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).
Page detailing proposed stress testing methods for vehicle axles and suspension components.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\1\ Scan009 | |
| Date | 12th March 1912 guessed | |
| (2) Tyres should have plain, smooth treads, (Palmers best), and should have known pressure, say 80 lbs. Block should be pulled back known distance and height, which can be increased for each test, tapping each wheel alternatively. Examination should be made after each test to see if any breakages or permanent set has taken place. Note specially ball end and sphere attachment. Another idea is to bounce the car on the ground. The front axle should rest on the ground and the back of the car (full load) should be raised from the axle in stages up to, say, 4 ft. and allowed to drop. For this test I should suggest using a motor driven bollard. Hemp rope could be used and pulled untilthe car lifts against a stop. Another method, probably less drastic than the above is to lift the axle only against springs; special (extra long and heavy) springs could be used so as to get the lift. The sphere should, of course, be held stationary. After all such tests none of the parts should be again used for production, or go on the road, but should be scrapped. Comparative tests of this type should be made with our old type axles, which were known to be of sufficient strength. | ||