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).
Dangerous fault caused by incorrectly fitting a locating washer on steering ball ends and a suggestion for a design change.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 153\1\ scan0111 | |
| Date | 6th January 1938 | |
| Dr. C to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c to EHO. F.J.H. What are your views SB{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister}19/HR.6.1.38 1300 re LOCKING DEVICE ON BALL ENDS OF CROSS AND SIDE STEERING TUBES. 25/30 HP., Phantom III and Bentley. ------------------------------- You will see from Owner's Complaint Report No. W.109, that we have had another instance where a ball end has come loose in the steering lever due to incorrect fitting of the locating washer. This is precisely the same trouble as occurred on Sir Archibald Black's 20/25 HP. car, and which caused so much difficulty with the Owner. As we have pointed out on previous occasions the trouble arises from the fact that the locating washer can be fitted upside down, and it seems impossible to prevent this occurring, in spite of our having issued Depot Sheet No. Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}324 twelve months ago describing how the locking device is fitted together. (See sketch attached). If the washer is fitted upside down, the tab T. bears on the bottom of the slot S. in the lever, and although the nut may be pulled tight initially, the ball end comes loose in service due to the tabs collapsing. May we therefore suggest again that the locating washer be made so that it does not matter which way up it is fitted, either by making the washer perfectly flat and the slots deeper, or by adding an undercut on the bottom of the washer to make it symmetrical. We consider this is important in view of the dangerous condition which arises due to incorrect fitting. The same design is used on most of the steering ball joints on all models. Reverting to Sir Edward Hanmer's car, we have ascertained that there is no record of this ball end ever having been disturbed since the car has been in service. Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/RSh | ||