Rolls-Royce Archives
         « Prev  Box Series  Next »        

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).
Proposed improvements and standardization for steering systems, including pivot lean and ball ends.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 20\2\  Scan090
Date  10th May 1920
  
Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From Ep.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}
c. to R.{Sir Henry Royce}
c. to EY.
c. to EN.
to EFC.
X.963.

COPY. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}13/F10.5.20.

X.963. RE STEERING. X.3441. X.3491/a

With reference to your report on the steering test, ref Hsl/LG23.4.20, as discussed with you recently I am very anxious to point out to you that we are still turning out cars which are not in the most satisfactory condition we know of as regards steering. My request to take advantage of your recommendations for increased pivot lean and more load on steering tube ball ends is not approved until standardised. We are making the best of the present standard as far as this is possible.

ALSO, on any special cars such as Trials Cars or Lord Rocksavage's car, on which Mr. Northey recently reports so favourably in his PN{Mr Northey}6/DW7.5.20., we have increased the lean of the pivots as per your first proposed item, i.e. .25" backwards, and we have also increased the load on the ball ends of the steering tube (although 4 springs used).

With regard to the increased friction, we have not applied this to any (except experimental) cars as yet, as it is only after a car has been run for some time that the steering becomes free and the trouble complained of is manifest. Such is the case with Lord Rocksavage's chassis and when the car left the works the steering joints were all taken up. We suggested, and FN approved, that it would be a good thing to fix the extra friction to one of the front pivots when the steering again becomes free.

The point I am now anxious about is that we should immediately standardise your proposed increased pivot lean and increased load on the steering tube ball ends (apart from increased friction). In our tests we have so far found advantage in this respect, all points having been checked such as steering on the reverse, swinging round corners, etc. We consider this should be done at once to all cars whether the extra friction scheme is done or not.

ALSO, the reason why I am pushing this job is that we should get the production right in this respect, and the front axle should be machined in order to get this correct lean. As it is, the attention we give to the car means that we have to fix special taper packings, which we do not think very satisfactory. Please therefore, consider this when recommending instructions retrospectively.

EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}
  
  


Copyright Sustain 2025, All Rights Reserved.    whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙