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).
Deflection test results for the rear axle half shafts of the Phantom III and Bentley models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\4\ scan0111 | |
| Date | 10th October 1936 | |
| x202 To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Hdy.{William Hardy} Rear Axle - Rear Wheel Drivers. We have carried out the deflection tests requested by the Design Dept. to determine the amount that the half shafts run out of truth due to the bending of the axle tubes under the normal weight of the car. We fitted to an empty axle one half shaft and wheel driver. The centre of the shaft sagged slightly under its weight, but this does not affect the experiment. The axle was fitted with wheels and was under a chassis in the normal manner. The weight of the car was initially taken on a crane and then lowered on to the springs, to an amount corresponding with the normal laden buffer clearance. The deflection at A was proportionate to the load carried by the springs. The movement at A from no load to full load and the force to counteract the deflection applied at A were - Phantom III Bentley Deflection .127 .079 Restoring load 5½ lbs. 3½ lbs. | ||