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 report on the performance of steering, gearbox, servo, starter motor, and other vehicle components.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\N\2October1925-December1925\ Scan296 | |
| Date | 1st September 1970 guessed | |
| - 7 - The oscillations are almost negligible. On good & even cambered roads, the steering is very good. It is inclined to be unstable on uneven cambered roads. This is rather difficult to describe, but the car is continually lurching & diving to either side of the road when driving at high speeds. This is really due to the conditions of the roads. There have been times when the steering has become stiff after driving some miles. This stiffness was in the nut & worm, as the wheel would not rebound back after winding up the side steering tube springs. This has gradually disappeared during the last 2,000 miles there has practically been nothing felt of it. There has always been & is still there a binding affect at extreme locks. The steering lock of the car was made to suit the well based wheels, & the loss of turning movement is most noticeable. In some instances, it has caused considerable inconvenience. We have not, at any time, during the 10,000 miles had any symptoms of wobbles. The front wheels have been balanced within a quarter of a pound during the whole of the test. Gearbox & actuating gear, to L.O.P. G.73552. The tone of the gears has remained constant. The side shaft has remained good. At no time during the test have any gears jumped out of mesh. We have had a slight oil leak from rear of bearing. The gearbox & supports have remained in good condition. Servo & servo link motion. We have had no further jaggers since fitting the flexible nut. The servo has operated satisfactorily & no wear can be found in the bearings. The link motion has functioned O.K., & is still in good condition. Change gear & brake mechanism. Modified change speed mechanism & side levers to L.E.C. 2079, N.Sch. 1970, 1903, 2001 & Arrgt. Drwg. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 73774. We have no complaints to make. The changing of gears has been easily manipulated, & we have not noticed any mechanical defects. The brake mechanism has remained in good order. Gearbox undershield, with felt strip attached, to L.E.C. 2091. This during the last 2,500 miles, has collected dirt through the hole cut in for the housing of the proposed starter meter on clutch case. The servo & servo mechanism has been kept entirely free from dirt. Starter Motor. There has been one occasion when the motor refused to function. This was due to the relay switch fuse having blown. The cause of this was not known. It had probably been short circuited during the oiling operations. The condition of the motor is very good, & it has not been necessary to clean the brushes & holders during the test. Examination at end of test shewed that they were clean. The starter motor chain has been adjusted twice during the whole of the run, i.e. four notches in all. | ||