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).
Ongoing problem and experiments related to steering wobbles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\4\ Scan257 | |
| Date | 11th August 1925 | |
| 457 Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BY3/H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 11.8.25. STEERING WOBBLES. ------------- Referring to CJ3/D.10.8.25. and FN3/LH.{Mr Haworth} 6.8.25. which I return herewith, the position in regard to the steering wobble problem, at Derby, at the present moment, is as follows:- 1. The improvements referred to by Mr. Royce before the holidays in his memorandum to CJ. have all been completed and issued to the experimental Dept. The last details and drawings were issued this afternoon. The experimental Dept. are working night and day on all the parts in question, and no pains are being spared to complete the parts at the earliest possible moment. 2. A continuous series of experiments is being carried on at the present moment in connection with high-speed wobbles, in the experimental Dept. Information is being collected, but it is of necessity a matter which demands time, as modifications to inclination of pivots, distribution of weight on axle, variations in tyres, etc. have all to be covered, since in a matter of this description it is easy to be led to wrong conclusions by insufficient data. 3. From our experience, if the wheels are balanced, we find it extremely difficult to produce the wobble. We have recently discovered that the Dunlop Company modified the joint of their inner tube, and by so doing threw the wheels out of balance. As reported upon to BJ, an arrangement has been arrived at by which the Dunlop Company accurately balance all wheels when fitted with inner tubes and VALVES, which would only leave a slight out-of-balance of the outer cover undealt with. Our experiments show that four ounces out-of-balance on a tyre does not set up the trouble. The outer covers are not more than four to five ounces out of balance, judging from a number tested at the works. 4. It is important to see that the steering wheels do not "toe in" more than our standard amount, as on a number of experiments we have carried out we find that beyond a certain amount "toeing-in" tends to make the wobble more dangerous. Cont'd | ||