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).
Series of reports on steering mechanism stiffness, steering wobbles, and frame tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 20\2\ Scan032 | |
| Date | 4th October 1913 guessed | |
| KH Extract from Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}/thy/21/L22913 X.587 - Steering Mechanism, stiffness after a run of an hour or so. This appears to be due to the bottom bearing of the pivot pin being short of lubricant and sometimes rusty. It is not a common fault but does occur sometimes. Does Mr Royce think it worth while trying a bronze bush at this point instead of a steel one? There would be less tendency to rust up if the surfaces were short of oil. X.457 - Steering Wobbles. I have tried a car with the rake of front axle 1/8" in 8", i.e. 1 in 64. The steering was not quite so self centreing and the wobble due to out of balance of front wheels did not appear to be affected in the slightest. It was easier to turn corners with this upright axle. I find that if the back of car is pulled down one inch it alters the rake of the front axle about 1/16" in 8", i.e. 1 in 128. X.193 - Frame Tests by running front wheels on drums fitted with humps. We are now waiting for new frames to be fitted to the smashed cars. One is nearing completion and this will be fitted with the new swivelling cross member. We hope to get this tomorrow. | ||