Rover 10hp 1939 Harmonic Balancer-Bumper

[peter rimes]

Hello. Can anyone please inform of the function of the front bumper harmonic stabilizer as fitted on my restoration 10hp saloon ? It incorporates lead washers at both extremes together with an 'O' ring within the underside of chromed end caps. Is there any adjustment requirements? Thank you. Peter .

[lakesrally]

It's there to counteract vibration. There is no adjustment that I know of.

[chris dancey]

Hello Peter,

As Stewart mentioned, there are no adjustments to the wilmot breedon harmonic system, just important to make sure all is tight.

The original thinking was that with the flexibility of the chassis, this would set up harmonic vibrations, the idea being that the lead weighted ends of the transverse leaf springs would act against this vibration and cancel out improving the ride for the occupants of the car...whether or not it actually works I am not sure. Also fitted to RR / Bentley in the '30s...maybe a test one day of driving with it fitted and not fitted to see if there is any noticeable difference.

Chris

[luli]

During the 1939 - 1947 priod Rover had 3 different types of front bumpers. Type 1 had the harmonic stabilizer, unlike the others. My 1946 10 is fitted with type 1, and the 1947 with type 2. I do not feel any difference in their behavior.
Incidentally, the harmonic stabilizer is one of the two patents quoted on the Rover chassis number plate:

“410,983. Vibration-dampers; vehicle collision-guards. ROVER CO., Ltd., and WILKS, M. C., Helen Street, Coventry. June 23, 1933, Nos. 17932 and 36334. [Classes 103 (ii) and 108 (iii).] To damp torsional vibration of a vehicle about its longitudinal axis when travelling a flexible transverse member

The other one is the freewheel. The investors always like to see their IP protected...

[peter rimes]

Thanks to all for the quick and valued reply to my puzzlement!
I'm now at the point of fitting the complete assembly and the car is really not roadworthy for experimenting with and without harmonic balancer in place.

Thank you . Peter

[47p2]

Bit of Rover advertising explanation here

[peter rimes]

Thank you for the illustration . Yes I have the very same now installed with all new chrome, a rewarding sight. Lets trust the starting handle aligns with the dog ok?

[luli]

Lets trust the starting handle aligns with the dog ok?

Everything there is adjustable. See here: http://wp.me/pXLKy-ME

[Rover Ron]

When I bought my '46 Ten in 1983 there were wooden washers in the bumper. Eventually, after a number of years, I replaced the wooden washers with lead ones. It made no difference whatsoever.

[peter rimes]

Now that's interesting. I will remember this when the car is roadworthy with all its vibrations! Thanks.