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 and clutch issues for chassis 107-MC, owned by G. Summers Esq.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\1\ Scan157 | |
| Date | 13th October 1925 | |
| EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No: X4117 REF Hel /LG13.10.25. To Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to MX.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} RE. CHASSIS 107-MC - G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} SUMMERS ESQ. X4117 X S430 With reference to the complaint of the steering on the above car. The simplest way of reducing the trouble would be to fit weaker springs in the side steering tube. This means that the jerking on the steering wheel complained of can be reduced by at least 50%. The disadvantages in doing this is that there is a risk of low speed steering wobbles. We do not think, however, they are likely to occur unless one deliberately attempts to produce them. Also the selectiveness of the steering is slightly reduced. By this we mean that if the car is being steered out of the side of a highly cambered road, the effort required on the steering will compress the weaker buffer springs so that the wheel will have to be turned an increased amount. During our tests in France, it was a great relief to fit the weaker springs in the side steering tube. The only other alternative would be to fit entirely new steering with the 720 lead when it is standardised. As regards the clutch stopping. The strength of the clutch brake spring was recently increased 50%. We do not think however that that alteration will be sufficient to enable a silent change to be made when the car is running at high speeds. When changing at high speeds, a more silent change can be made if the double clutch method is used. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||