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).
Trouble with stiffer five-plate springs on Phantom II Continental Tourers causing bumping on the rear buffers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\1\ Scan084 | |
| Date | 7th June 1932 | |
| BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} C. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} C. to MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} X7410 Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/SBLO/KH.7.6.32. RE: STIFFER SPRINGS - PHANTOM II. ---------------------------- X7120 We wish to draw your attention to a certain amount of trouble which we are experiencing with the five plate stiffer springs fitted to Continental Tourers. We have now had three complaints of bumping on the rear buffers, andwe have been obliged to fit specially strong springs in two cases, the third being dealt with by fitting an extra second plate to the existing springs. In each case, of course, the customer has carried a fair amount of luggage, but not more than was specified when the car was ordered. In the view of the high rating of these springs it is, at first glance, rather surprising that trouble of this sort should occur, but there is one other factor which to some extent defeats the object of these stiff springs. This is the heavy negative camber which is employed, and in our opinion the buffer clearance obtained are inadequate for Continental conditions. It can be shown by calculation that in spite of the high rating of these springs, a Continental Tourer which is run with a loaded buffer clearance of 2.520 (which is standard) will be in trouble due to bumping on the buffers before a car with standard springs of a poundage to give a loaded clearance of 3.600 (which is usual for Standard springs). This, of course, is exactly the reverse of what should occur, as the very cars which we know are habitually driven fast over bad roads, usually with a fairly heavy load of luggage, and which really require plenty of clearance, are more liable to bump than our standard car. The following particulars will show why this occurs :- Standard Stiffer Deflection 8.25 6.1 Poundage 1350 1250 | ||