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).
Improvements to steering systems, axle flexibility, and weight distribution.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\R\January1928-March1928\ 176 | |
| Date | 31th March 1928 guessed | |
| (2) Hartford each side of the longitudinal flexibility. If it were found ( as one believes) to be most advantageous on the axle side of the longitudinal flexibility one naturally concludes that the simplest thing to do is to increase the ball friction by making the 3 axle balls 25% larger in dia., which will easily allow 25% more pressure per ball, and so give 125 X 125 X 3 against present 100 X 100 X 2 = 470 / 200, or 2.3 times. So if this is passable with - (1) an increased lean of axle pivot due to the constant and exact angle obtainable with the shock damper controlled front axle. (2) the slowest relative steering - i.e. 16.5/1, (3) the largest worm with the longer lever in the box and 8" pendulum, giving maximum chance of maintaining oil film and co-efficient constant. (4) ball damping (and anti rattling) friction by 3 larger balls. I think we have the best and simplest scheme we know. All this is written on the understanding that even for ordinary people definitely irreversible steering is definitely out of consideration. Apparently this must have longitudinal flexibility, and therefore needs damping on the axle side, or would smash or wobble. How do other people get through? Ought we to ask PN.{Mr Northey} and CWB. to try a car - ours or another make - with definitely irreversible steering? Have we a list of other steerings, such as used for road racing, or endurance? - Mercedes, and many other high speed cars of great reputation and experience. There is still one other item which we hope to obtain some benefit from, and that is reducing the weight on the front wheels by lighter engine and chassis, body, and spares pushed back. We ask all concerned to do their bit, and do it quickly so as to give better satisfaction to our users. Any conversions should be altered as far as ever possible to the best known condition, as stated in this memo., at least the 16/1 ratio. How will present 20HP. and India follow this? R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||