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).
Wheel balancing on Phantom models, advising against temporary balance weights due to potential for serious out-of-balance issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\4\ Scan300 | |
| Date | 19th August 1925 | |
| To BJ. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. PN.{Mr Northey} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to EY. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} X457 RL/M19.8.25. STEERING. X.8430 X.457 In reply to your telephone message of this morning I quite agree that no Phantoms should be issued unless the wheels are in the balance we specify. I do not agree that fixing balance weights (except as a temporary measure until passable wheels, tyres, and inner tubes can be obtained,) because I feel that it will cause endless dangerous confusion to use balance weights and unbalanced tyres, as occasionally the balance weight and unbalanced part will be added together and make serious out-of-balance,(viz., should the tyres and wheels be mixed up, and not be corrected). The balance weights should be central with the tyre or duplicate on the spokes unless under-counter-balanced, when they could be on the outside, the reason being that the balance weights should act at the same distance from the steering pivot as the out-of-balance of the tyre. We ought to supply suitable pieces of metal for balance weights if any balance weights are fitted. A 'U' shaped piece fitting centrally between the spokes appears a good form. Personally I should hold up cars until proper parts can be procured from Dunlops, or from any other first class tyre maker. We feel certain that Michelins and other first class makers will not turn out unbalanced parts. To my mind Derby has not produced, or found anything that can be applied and considered satisfactory, but by the means already in their hands we definitely believe that some contd:- | ||