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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).
Letter from The Houdaille Hydraulic Suspension Co. regarding the fitting and adjustment of their suspension systems.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 25\2\  Scan063
Date  3rd July 1924
  
Continuation from The HOUDAILLE HYDRAULIC SUSPENSION Co.

[Stamp: REC'D JUL - 3 1924]

trouble being that for refilling or adjustment it is a little difficult to get at, but refilling is only necessary about every 2,000 miles and adjustment, which only takes a few seconds per Suspension, once effected never varies. We believe that you always test your chassis with a load equivalent to the weight that is going on them, in which case your testers could easily regulate the Houdailles prior to despatching the chassis to the Coachbuilder.

The employment of the 225 m/m lever arm absolutely eliminates the possibility of internal compact and you might, therefore, prefer to so equip one of your chassis for test. We are, therefore, sending you a pair of chassis type Suspensions with 225 m/m straight arms and 1 pair No.1 brackets. We are also sending you a pair of chassis type with 205 m/m cranked lever arms as per your drawing.

We quite admit that incorrect fitting of Houdailles by a motor Dealer subsequent to completion of the car can lead to trouble, just as we heartily agree with you that if proper consideration had been given when the Suspensions were originally fitted this would not have occurred. We think, however, that you slightly exaggerate the possibilities of trouble through the lever arm coming into contact with the coachwork as undoubtedly if you standardise Houdailles and bolted the Suspension box to the frame it would be a very simple matter, in your blue prints, to draw the attention of coachbuilders to the clearance they must allow for the adequate travel. We have fitted many chassis such as FIAT, etc., etc., in this manner.
  
  


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