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).
The performance of hydraulic dampers, electrical system, and Goodrich tyres following a test.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\2\ scan0028 | |
| Date | 5th March 1934 | |
| -3- HYDRAULIC DAMPERS. The dampers have been free from knocks. The loss of oil has been negligible. The front dampers were found loose on the frame after 5,800 miles of the test. There was no repetition of them working loose after thoroughly tightening them up. When checked for load the front dampers were working very stiffly. These were dismantled and it was found that the pistons were on the point of seizing. The seizure was apparently due to distortion of the damper body, which is probably caused by the method of anchorage to the frame. An improved scheme of fastening the dampers to the frame is going to be fitted as standard, which should overcome the distortion effect. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. The electrical system generally has given no trouble. The dynamo output has been equal to the six and a half hours running with all lamps on each day's run as well as the drainage of the starter motor. The special Lucas headlamp bulbs were not much of a success, the average life being 3,500 miles. GOODRICH EXTRA HEAVY 6-PLY TYRES. We found these tyres not so effective on the rear for preventing skidding and wheel spin as the India on roads made treacherous by ice and grease. We therefore discontinued the use of them on the rear. On the front wheels this feature did not show up to the same extent. The life of Goodrich tyres - 9,000 miles - is not up to the mileage of the India previously tested on the front. HB{C. E. Harcombe}/G.W.Hancock. | ||