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).
Front axle performance, particularly concerning braking, steering swerve, and diving.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 43\2\ Scan189 | |
| Date | 21th December 1926 | |
| X3900 To CY. From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/T21.12.26. X8410 X3861 Y8470 FRONT AXLE. With reference to yours ref. CY2-E-12826 of the 8th inst. :- (1) We have not found that cars swerve to the right appreciably more than to the left with the new axle under brake application. Since receiving your recent memo we have carried out further confirmation tests on this subject, in which we cut out the rear brakes only and used the full power of the servo on the front brakes. In our experience the steering may drag in either direction when pulling up violently, according to which is the more effective brake or upon which camber of the road the car may be situtted. However, this is but a minor trouble compared with the diving which is liable to occur when the brakes are used vigorously on a corner. In this case the steering runs over on to full lock in the direction of the turn, no matter which brake is the more efficient. We suggest that on the new type axles you have so far handled, the front brakes are rather more efficient than the average. Also the steering is very free with this axle which accentuates equalisation problems. Again, you have gone to the limit with the weak front springs to improve riding, and will therefore get an un-pleasant amount of forward pivot lean when braking. We suggest that careful attention is given to getting consistent front brakes, that you put friction in Contd. | ||