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).
Implementation and testing of anti-roll rods for the Phantom III and Wraith II models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 95\2\ scan0052 | |
| Date | 24th March 1936 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} 4346 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Les.5/KW.24.3.36. Anti-Roll Rods for Ph.III & Wraith II. Although Ph.III is starting production with only a single anti-roll rod at the rear, provision is being made so that an anti-roll rod can also be fitted to the front of the car. Until autolock dampers are fitted on production there will be no need for the front anti-roll rod. This is because we cannot fit softer road springs until the introduction of autolock dampers. Recently when testing a Ph.III with softer springs and autolock dampers, it was noticed that a front anti-roll rod was necessary in order to maintain adequate bump wheel movement on the outer wheel for bumpy corners. The riding of this car was considerably superior to the car we have standardised for both wavy roads and hump-backed bridges. In view of the fact that the future will demand still lower rating springs, we think designs for new chassis should include anti-roll rods for both front and rear wheels. On a 25 HP. car we recently tried a rear anti-roll rod in conjunction with some extra low rating springs (initial deflection - front 6.5", rear 8.5"). The result was a thoroughly dangerous car to handle, although the rolling was not excessive. This was due to over-steering. By removing the rear roll rod the controllability was much improved, but the rolling increased. This confirms Olley's results from his Skid-Pan. We have now fitted up a front anti-roll rod on the same car, which is quite satisfactory. Until the introduction of independent suspension the front springs of our chassis have always been a compromise between comfort and control. We are hoping, however, that the town carriage will be an equally suitable Continental car. For this the road springs will be used entirely for the comfort of the car, and the suitable stiffness anti-roll rods ascertained from the Skid-Pan to give the necessary reduction in rolling and the suitable degree of under-steering. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Les.{Ivan A. Leslie} | ||