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).
Strength of springs fitted to cars for the American market and the decision not to claim costs for changes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 43\2\ Scan026 | |
| Date | 17th November 1920 | |
| CJ. from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}11/F17.11.20. 17th. Nov..1920. SPRINGS FOR AMERICA. With reference to your CJ11/E12.11.20 attaching copy of telephone message from R.{Sir Henry Royce} to CJ dated 12.11.20 attached, although I quite appreciate and agree in principle that the springing of the cars in America is generally too strong, I do not think that we can make any claim on the American Company for any payment in this respect, as generally speaking the springs fitted are according to our specification, and give the specified spring cambers and clearances with the specified load on the chassis. If this is not so, it is because the load actually carried on the car is different from the load specified, and it is then up to the New York Depot to see that suitable springs are fitted, a point which they quite understand and have appreciated in the past. We feel, however, that springs for the American cars, as demonstrated during my recent visit, should be weaker than our present standard for America, and I spent some time with the American Officials in dealing with this point, including Mr.Hulley and Mr.Caswell, pointing out and demonstrating the importance of checking the spring cambers under load conditions, to make sure that no cars were supplied to customers unless the most favourable strength of springs have been fitted, and think this strength should be somewhat weaker than our present standard, a point which is now confirmed by R.{Sir Henry Royce} and yourself, and about which we have already cabled America. We do not feel therefore, under these circumstances, that we can make any claim on America for the cost in regard to this change of springs. At the same time, we know that in fixing any future springs to these cars, a more suitable strength of spring will be fitted. In accordance with the instructions contained in your JS{Mr Johnson's Secretary}4/D8.11.20, we telegraphed to America in accordance with Mr. Royce's remarks which were attached to these instructions, to the effect that we advise and agree that America should procure and fit thin leaf rolled eye springs to all cars. If it is now agreed, therefore, that we shall only fit these springs in cases of actual complaints, it will be necessary to cable further instructions to America on these lines. We quite agree with R.{Sir Henry Royce} that it would meet the case if we only fit the thin leaf springs in cases of actual | ||