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 improvements, comparing performance, and suggesting further tests on radius rods and thrust bearings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\4\ Scan066 | |
| Date | 19th April 1920 | |
| H.R. 253 a.{Mr Adams} (100 Tr{Capt. F. W. Turner - Finance}) (S) F 846 6-8-19. G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} 3460 X.344/. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy to CJ. " Bn.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} " Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} " EFC. " By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} R7/G19.4.20. X.963. RE STEERING. X.3441. X.3791. I am very pleased to hear that you think we have got a definite improvement in the steering by the use of the single set up spring on each of the ball ends of the longitudinal tube, and that this improvement permitted a slight increase in the lean of the front pivots and so give more stability in the straight line running of the car. It will also improve the cornering. I suggest that you arrange with the Sales to take a car to Mr. Horlick with this modification, and at the same time endeavour to compare the steering of our car with the Detrich car (owned by his brother) and ascertain in what way we differ from this car. I wish I could do this with you, but I fear the urgency of work in hand, etc, will not permit me to do so. We now suggest that you and Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}, rig up temporarily, radius rods to control the axle, so, as to be sure that the rise and fall of the axle does not make the longitudinal steering tube wobble the wheels. We want you also to test as quickly as possible, the value of plain thrust bearings in the steering column, perhaps with ball bearing to carry journal load, which I am sure will render our steering more irreversible, and is the best way of doing so, if this is desirable. contd. | ||