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).
Investigations into high-speed steering wobbles and potential solutions.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\N\July1925-September1925\ Scan100 | |
| Date | 20th August 1925 | |
| R.R. 493A (50H) (D.B. 175 25-9-24) J.H.D. EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. REF: Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}12/LG20.8.25. To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to EA. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} HIGH SPEED STEERING WOBBLES. Y455 X. Further tests show that we shall not be able to eliminate high speed wobbles by means of the damped pendulum lever. Tests at present are being conducted on the road to prove how much friction is required between the steering pivots and the axle to overcome wobbles. These tests are being followed with a hydraulic type damper. We have had a further conversation with Mr. Healey, Physicist, from the Dunlop Rubber Co. He mentioned that one of the cars which they were called in on because of this trouble was the 40 HP. Lanchester. They went through a whole series of experiments and they finally decided to fit a hydraulic damper. He does not know definitely whether they have done this. The other cars upon which he has experienced high speed steering wobbles have been - the Sunbeam, Bentley and the Bean. We have got Mr. Healey with us today. We wish to impress him with the necessity of wheel balance because this appears to offer an immediate relief which will enable us to deliver cars to customers, and to make those which are already on the road, safe. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||