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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).
Series of tests conducted to diagnose and resolve a high-speed wobble complaint on car 137 X.J.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 47\2\  Scan416
Date  28th November 1930
  
To Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}, File.
X4117.
REPORT ON 137 X.J. & 91 G.Y. AT CRICKLEWOOD, LONDON.
28-11-30 To 3-12-30.
137 X.J.
OWNER:- The Hon. CHARLES WINN.
COMPLAINT:- CYCLONIC HIGH SPEED WOBBLE.
1ST TEST: CONDITION OF CAR.
ROAD SPRINGS:- 1200 - 1250 LBS REPLACING 1100-1150 LBS.
WHEELS & TYRES:- DUNLOP 7"x 21" BALANCED AT 35 LBS/SQ".
FRONT DAMPERS:- BOTH CHECKED AT 100 LBS & 70 LBS.
CROSS STEERING TUBE:- LOAD OF 18 LBS.
SIDE STEERING TUBE:- REAR END .100" EXTRA SET-UP.
PIVOT LEAN:- 2° BACKWARD.
TRACK:- 1/8" TOE-IN.
BOTH PIVOTS:- .035" & .045" END PLAY.
RESULT:- NO HIGH SPEED WOBBLE OBTAINED. WET ROADS.
BAD JOGGLE PERIODS ABOVE 70 MPH.
WOULD DEVELOP LIGHT WOBBLE GIVEN WORSE ROAD CONDITIONS.
FRONT AXLE TOO LIVELY. NOT SUFFICIENT DAMPING.
SELF - CENTERING 50%. ON THE BORDER LINE FOR HEAVYNESS.
2ND TEST:- CONDITIONS AS BEFORE.
ALTERATIONS:- FRONT DAMPERS RESET TO 100 LBS. EACH WAY.
END PLAY OF PIVOTS REDUCED TO .015".
RESULT:- NO HIGH SPEED WOBBLE.
NO JOGGLE PERIODS. SLIGHT JOGGLE OCCASIONALLY.
SELF - CENTERING IMPROVED. DIRECTIONAL IMPROVED.
STEERING AS NEAR PERFECT AS POSSIBLE.
3RD TEST:- CONDITIONS AS 2ND TEST.
ALTERATION:- FRONT DAMPERS RESET TO 80 & 70 LBS.
RESULT:- NO HIGH SPEED WOBBLE. DRY ROADS.
BAD JOGGLES AGAIN ABOVE 70 MPH., 25% LESS THAN TEST 1.
  
  


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