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).
Improving steering systems, addressing wobbles, and the concept of irreversible steering.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\3\ Scan131 | |
| Date | 14th March 1927 guessed | |
| contd :- -2- If we introduce spring loaded friction into the pivots or cross steering tube on the other hand we reduce both low and high speed wobbles. On the new type axle as at present arranged we consider that we are quite immune from low speed wobbles. (3) MORE IRREVERSIBLE STEERING. We are very anxious to try out experimentally a steering self centred by springs. Unfortunately, when we went into the matter, we found that we had no room in any existing column. WW. have promised to give us a scheme for a column so that this can be done in the best possible manner. We consider that the standard of good steering has gone up recently, therefore customers are more critical. Frequently when we try old cars we have this brought home to us. The only objection that we have to increasing the irreversibility of the worm and nut, provided that it can be carried out without making the steering heavy in a forward direction, is the fact that any resistance to shocks obtained in this manner does not remain constant. The steerings of cars at present leaving the Works are excellent for shocks and joggles. When they have had a good hammering they deteriorate, however. We know this from our 10,000 miles cars and from recent reports on the behaviour of low geared worms and nuts fitted to the Paris Trials cars which are subjected to severe treatment on Continental roads. We believe that some steerings alter more quickly than others according to the relative excellence of their initial bedding. Unfortunately there is no adjustment available to compensate for increasing freedom with the life of the steering. contd :- | ||