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).
Steering problems on early Phantom cars and proposing a remedy.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\P\October1926-November1926\ Scan128 | |
| Date | 16th November 1926 | |
| To B.J. ) FROM HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} To R.{Sir Henry Royce} ) c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} RG.{Mr Rowledge} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ORIGINAL Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LG16.11.26. PHANTOM CARS - BJ20/E12.11.26. Y8770 Y8430 We suggest that in most cases the adverse criticism of the Phantom is based on features of some of the early cars. There are for instance over 700 Phantoms on the road fitted with the original steering. We know that with this steering over bad roads the driver will have an unhappy time with road shocks on the wheel. If he takes the car on the Continent, it will be very much worse. The steerings which have been fitted to the last 200 or 300 cars are reasonably satisfactory (.720 lead). The further improvements which come in with the lightened axle will improve the steering still more. As we see it - the most difficult problem is not how to make further improvements to the design of the steering, but what to do with the 700 cars in customers hands which we know to be faulty. Whilst those cars are on the road in their present state, we are certain to have complaints from dissatisfied customers. The steering will not get any better by running. The question therefore resolves itself into a matter of policy rather than design. The standardised remedy is to fit the .940 steering worm and nut and modified springs in the side steering tube to all Phantom cars fitted with the original steering. If this is too extravagant, then we can at least alter the contd :- | ||