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).
Spring modifications for cars destined for Australia due to breakages and poor road conditions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67a\2\ scan0176 | |
| Date | 17th September 1928 | |
| Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} C. BY/HEB{H. Biraben} 78410 BY4/G.17.9.28. SPRINGING FOR AUSTRALIA. ----------------------- Referring to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/LG.26.7.28. which has only just come to my notice, the position in regard to Australia was as follows :- 1/- Australia complained of front springs breaking. I therefore suggested to R.{Sir Henry Royce} that we should fit 20% stronger springs. R.{Sir Henry Royce} objected to this and made the counter-suggestion of 20% stiffer. 2/- Breakages were prevented by the 20% stiffer springs, but a serious complaint was made continuously by Pt. to the effect that the chassis were constantly riding on the buffers. 3/- In view of (1) and (2) at the Conference with yourself and Pt. it was agreed that we should fit 15% stronger springs for Australia. At first it was suggested 15% stronger and 15% stiffer combined, but after trial it was decided to only use the 15% stronger. The foregoing means that cars for Australia stand higher to the extent of 15% on the deflection than present standard. The total deflection on the rear is 8.000" - they therefore stand at 1.200" higher than standard, that is 5.350" axle clearance instead of the 4.000" now suggested. Before departing from this, I think Pt. should be asked to make a trial of the new proposal as Australian conditions apparently are distinctly peculiar to that country, Pt. stating that the roads are too bad for fast driving either by day or night. It is of course when driving fast that the increased clearance becomes most objectionable. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} By | ||