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).
The causes and potential cures for steering wobbles, including tests on wheels, tyres, and friction devices.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 20\2\ Scan103 | |
| Date | 9th September 1920 | |
| Contd. -6- HB{C. E. Harcombe}3/LG9.9.20. off-set wheels, there is more friction of the pivot. We have made a test with Michelin Disc wheels by fixing them dished outwards instead of dished inwards so that we had the effect of very much off-set wheels-we could with this get steering wobbles. We have tried different makes of tyres including the American Cord tyres. We agree that had tyres do aggravate steering wobbles but we have not found even when we have let the tyres down to 30 lbs. pressure that we could entirely overcome them. With reference to Mr. Olley's memo, in which he states they have been able to overcome steering wobbles by fixing spring operating plungers in the front pivots. Our experience has been that friction in the pivots will cure very slight low speed steering wobbles, but it cannot be looked upon as a per-manent cure. Several years ago Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} tried a friction shock absor-ber fixed to the front axle and connected with the cross steering tubes with the idea of preventing steering wobbles but it was found that the amount of friction required to completely stop wobbles was very great. One advantage we see in the spring operated fric-tion is the fact that it would remain constant. Applying the friction on the thrust bearing means, it must vary when going over a bumpy road. We are trying plungers similar to those they are fitting on the cars in America. We find that they are difficult to fit. We think also, owing to the fact that it is impossible to lubricate them, that they will in time wear a recess on the Contd. | ||