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).
Explanation of front axle control and the effects of braking torque on steering.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 178\1\ img123 | |
| Date | 13th July 1926 guessed | |
| - 24 - one pair of wheels get on to a piece of loose or moist road surface where their powers of adhesion are reduced. (b) Front axle control. As we pointed out under 'Centre-point steering', the centre of the tyre pad on the road should not be much more than one inch from the centre line of the pivot pin produced if the steering is to remain unaffected with one front brake only in action. We have proved, however that a very much more important factor with [Diagram Text] X SHOULD NOT EXCEED 1.00" regard to steering is the method used to restrain the movement of the front axle under braking torque. There are several methods of accomplishing this. What actually happens when the brakes are applied can be illustrated fairly simply. Consider the extreme case when the wheel is locked and the car moving forward skidding the tyre. Now for all practical purposes the wheel could be replaced by a bar welded solidly to the pivot with a piece of tyre stuck on the end because the wheel is held solid to the axle by means of the brake shoes. The momentum of the car while it is still in motion is acting through its centre of gravity. The contd. | ||