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).
Proposal to improve the ride and handling of an 8 HP Austin by softening the front springs, including leaf spring specifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 124\4\ scan0029 | |
| Date | 17th July 1941 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB. Copy to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RJH. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Wym.{G. Harold Whyman - Experimental Manager} 1045 We want to improve the ride and handling of the 8 H.P. Austin. To assist in this, spring rates have been measured and an approximation of the ride and roll rates made. This is given below. The two most striking features are the high front spring rate and the poor distribution of the roll couple. The latter must result in oversteer. We propose to soften the front springs by removing all but the main plate and fitting 7 new leaves to each spring. Particulars of these are given below. Leaf No. | Thickness | Distance from centre bolt hole to front when flat. | Distance from centre bolt hole to rear when flat. | Free radius. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 | .125" | 12.7" | 14.5" | 25.6" 3 | " | 11.1 | 12.6 | " 4 | " | 9.5 | 10.7 | " 5 | " | 7.9 | 8.9 | " 6 | " | 6.3 | 7.0 | " 7 | " | 4.7 | 5.2 | " 8 | " | 3.1 | 3.3 | " Leaf width is 1.5" and leaf ends are to be speared. It is proposed to order these leaves from Jonas Woodhead. We will decide how to fit a front roll rod as soon as the car is available. EXPECTED RIDE AND ROLL RATES FOR 8 HP. AUSTIN (AFV.977) --------------------------------- Front suspension is by semi-elliptic springs 29" long, divided 13.5" and 15.5", x 1½" wide. The 2.5" compression shackles are at the rear. No anti-roll rod is fitted as standard. Rear suspension is by semi-elliptic springs 40" long, equally divided, x 1½" wide. The 2.5" compression shackles are at the rear. No anti-roll rod is fitted. | ||