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).
Issues with suspension performance, including rattling, shock absorber noise, and excessive sideways shake.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 91\1\ scan0284 | |
| Date | 20th February 1936 | |
| -3- 31-3 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/KW.20.2.36. SUSPENSION. We had again a demonstration of the fact that however well a car is sprung, if it rattles on bad roads the impression of good suspension is lost. We found that various part of the brake linkage were rattling and until we put these right as far as we could by adjustment we were unable to appreciate how well the car was sprung. We think we have got to ensure that the brake ropes, etc, cannot make a noise even though the brakes are in need of adjustment. Even with our latest modifications the front dampers are audible on a bad road and we are struggling with this. Without doubt the stiff frame amplifies all shock absorber noises. The worst criticism we have to make of the ride was that, though at all times the front seats were comfortable on bad roads, when the car was driven at high speeds with the dampers of necessity in the hard position, there was a tremendous amount of sideways shake in the rear seats which was really acutely uncomfortable. We are investigating this but on the face of it, it appeared to us that it might be due to - (1) The sideways thrust of the front wheels leaving a node in the middle of the car and transmitting the sideways shake to the rear. (2) The rubber body mounting having removed some of the lateral rigidity of the frame. We found that the back of an Airflow Chrysler which we managed to get hold of in Madrid was infinitely more comfortable under these conditions. Briefly, there is a good bit of development work which we have got to carry out on this point. | ||