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).
Modifications to a cross steering tube, a new joint design, and a stub axle failure.
| Identifier | Morton\M22\ img029 | |
| Date | 26th November 1918 | |
| To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} -4- R4/G261118 Contd. cross steering tube has resulted in the modification being made, which was sent to you on LeC.537. Be sure to include this modification in the chassis under construction, and in addition, I think it would be safer to modify the lever so that the ball with the taper socket without a collar, as shewn on that drawing, can be applied. I think this design of ball is less liable to be fitted wrongly to the lever, as the one with the collar may be too large or too small in the shank, or the collar may not be absolutely down, both of which would result in the ball there working loose, or breaking off, and might end disastrously. X.3418. We have also shewn another form of joint, but this is in the experimental stage, and could not at the moment be considered for these cars. We fear, however, that even the improved one of the present design is still slightly defective, as one of the brasses (why not casehardened steel ?) forming one of the bearing pads cannot be gripped after adjusting. It is not, however, likely to cause an accident. (7) STUB AXLE. X.3441 X.3354 You will remember that we have had one of these break on the Duke of Westminster's car, whether by ill-use or of defects other than design, is doubtful, but we have shewn the possibility of considerably increasing the strength by modifying the design, and we hope none of the old ones will be used. It will be remembered that the radius on the corner, on the outside particularly, wants to be free from circular scratches, so should be finished by having a radius on the corner of the (Contd.) | ||