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).
Test results on the Phantom's suspension, focusing on spring stiffness and its effect on ride comfort.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\O\2April1926-June1926\ Scan011 | |
| Date | 15th April 1926 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c.c. to BJ. RG.{Mr Rowledge} c.c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c.c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Na.{Mr Nadin} c.c. to CWB. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} ORIGINAL X8410 X2628 PHANTOM SUSPENSION. With reference to your telegram instructing us to test the original pre front brake stiffness of springs on the Phantom. We have carried out a test on one car by reducing the stiffness of the front springs 20%. We could not detect when riding in the back of the car, any difference in comfort. On this same car we could appreciate the extra discomfort if the shock damper setting was increased by 30 or 40 lbs. The conclusions we arrived at were that the extra friction on the springs is more detrimental to the riding of the car than the increase in rating, for the particular fault which is being investigated. When we vary the front springs we can notice the difference when riding in the front seats; there is more movement on the front of the car and it is a little softer. From the results of all the tests we have made we believe the jolting which is being complained of is due to the springs not working owing to friction either internal or applied by the shock dampers. There are several points in connection with suspension with which we are not in agreement with Springfield :- (1) We do not believe and we have seen no results of any tests which have proved that the contd :- | ||