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).
Technical memo detailing observations on damper glands, brakes, and front axle control settings following a road test.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\3\ 03-page294 | |
| Date | 17th June 1933 | |
| X5840 Hotel de France. Chateauroux. Indre. To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} From G.W.H. 17.6.33. 18. C. IV. We have received your memo of the 15th. W. Bell will have been able to give you a better and more concise opinion of the troubles existing with the damper glands, than we can describe on paper. From all the tests taken it would seem that distortion is the main factor, another feature is that air bubbles out each time the filler plug is removed. This is with the dampers filled to the top level of the filler. BRAKES We had run approx. 8000 miles when the brakes were changed. The condition of the drums were excellent as also was the brake shoes, especially the rear foot brake. I have not seen them in a better condition. With regard to squeaks, ours were no worse than the present ferodo, which are bad, previously. I have been of the opinion that AMR 2 was worse in this respect. We will check the swinging arm results. FRONT AXLE CONTROL We have not experienced the trouble you mention. I should be very suspicious re. the control dampers being set right. We have not had one car of the last four over here set right, and I should look for the following wrong settings: 1st base of controls packed to bring ball centres right 2nd There should be no end ply in bottom bearing. ( causes knocks and dithers) 3rd The correct setting on the solid ball pad (just a slight load) checked with road wheels on the ground (not jacked up) 4th The spring loaded pad must then be set with .010 clearance (never found correct as yet) The tightening up of the bolts is liable to alter this setting. 5th The lubrication system to be bled to make sure oil is getting to ball pads. If attention to these points does not affect your troubles I should be much surprised. We had no sign of it on the Bentley here. | ||