The setup and potential issues with Gordon Armstrong rear dampers for endurance testing on a 3.B.IV model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\5\ scan0005 | |
| Date | 22th February 1937 | |
| GWH {George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} from Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Les. Hotel de France, Chateauroux(French test region), Indre, FRANCE. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Les14/M.22.2.37. 3.B.IV. Rear Dampers. These are fixed load Gordon Armstrong Dampers, set at 80 lbs. For English conditions the riding is unpleasantly hard but as Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} wanted these dampers on 3.B.IV. for endurance testing, I thought it was wisest not to reduce the load. We have had a pair of similar dampers which have stood up quite well on the Ramper Rig. It is hoped that this damper will overcome our troubles of bearing wear. Even with a very slack bearing we have been free from knocks on the rig. I had hoped to send 3.B.IV. out with some "Armstrong" dampers fitted with our valve and suitable for governor system. These only arrived on Saturday and after a week-end's work it was found that the trouble of loss of load due to building up a pressure in the damper existed. The dampers are filled with a special oil, There is a spare tin in the car but I hope you will not have to add any oil. As both the main lever and the intermediate lever are attached to the shaft by interference fit serrations it is impossible to dismantle and re-assemble the damper satisfactorily without fitting a new shaft. If any trouble occurs I will send you a replacement damper so that the faulty damper can be dismantled by the makers. Rm {William Robotham - Chief Engineer} /Les. | ||
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).