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).
Secret memorandum discussing steering and braking improvements for the 'India' chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5\3\ 03-page145 | |
| Date | 29th May 1925 | |
| 45940 To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. BJ. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} S E C R E T. R5/M29.5.25. 'INDIA' STEERING. X.5430 X.5940 We must come to the conclusion that the steering taking charge comes about by the front axle being thrown over either by the brakes or by the natural pressure tending to go round a corner. There are 3 improvements that can be made for this, the most definite being a separate or parallel control for the front axle. The 2nd. and more practical is increased length of the front springs and the 3rd. which is instantly available is stiffer front springs. It is evident that we must at once use the stiffest front springs possible, and I cannot be responsible for cars such as the Goshawk, with less than a 25% increase, and also that the EAC. ought also to have this degree of stiffness. We must also realise that the front wheel braking must be reduced, the India as experienced by me being nearly twice too effective on the servo. Taking the servo cam levers as the same length as the lifting lever, and the scissors levers, we want the cams of such a diameter that the ratio between these 2 levers is 1 to 1. We understand this is 2 to 1 at present with the original equipment. Amongst the improvements that we are putting on to the India chassis, we propose altering the front brake cams from .4 to .6. this will take off some braking effect and give more allowance for wear and stroke. You will remember that we found rather a feeble scheme of nut to hold on the brake lever below the pivot. This, according to our drawings should have been a hexagon nut and plate washer. We are now asking for it to be more robust in depth. This tackle should be put together finally. There will be an improvement also in the method of adjusting the brakes as it seems difficult at present to handle, and this particular type is to be changed so as to wear better. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||