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).
Front and rear axle design for a post-war chassis, focusing on steering stability and shock absorption.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\4\ Scan173 | |
| Date | 1st October 1916 | |
| X.454. Contd. X.2565. - Post-War Chassis. -7- RG{Mr Rowledge}/W3.10.16. X.3441.X.454. X.968. (24) Front Axle. This should be as near as possible centre point steering, and if this gives any inclination for a steering wobble, or want of stability at high speeds or low speeds, I have suggested that the thrust bearings on the steering pivot on the axle should be fitted with plain thrust washers of vulcanized fibre, instead of ball thrust washers - Such steering wobbles appear to be increased by blowing up the tyres very hard - the foregoing assumes, of course, that the inclination of the steering pivots on the axle are inclined backwards the correct amount for good high speed steering, which please include on your report. X.3461.a. The front axle is to be fitted with the shock dampers as previously. They should be tightened through a bid range to find the possibilities of the adjustment, that is, one would tighten them more and more until some disadvantage was found, such as causing vibrations to the front of the chassis at slow speed. It will be noticed that the front of the chassis at high speed will be steadier the more these are tightened. X.3461.b. (25) Shock dampers for Back Axle. It would appear that to keep the car steady at the back at high speeds on a straight road, with undulating surface, the shock dampers are necessary, or springs having a greater amount of friction between the plates than ours, especially when lubricated. Contd. | ||