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).
Technical analysis of vehicle wobble, its contributing factors from steering and suspension, and proposed solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\4\ Scan182 | |
| Date | 19th February 1926 | |
| The forward motion of the car adds energy enough to keep the oscillation going, in spite of slight friction in the various joints etc., but not in spite of relatively great friction, such as might be found in a new car, or be produced by releasing the wheel and so bringing the friction of the steering worm into the system. If there were anything in this suggested explanation, one would expect - (4). That the natural period of the car oscillating on the front road springs would bear some relation to the speed of the wobble. It would not necessarily be the same, because the road wheels are part of the oscillating system in the latter case, but not the former. (5). The speed at which the wobble would occur would be affected by the tightness of the tyres, the stiffness of the road springs, the mass of the wheels, and the weight and position of the body. (6). That the reason why removing the springs from the side steering tube sometimes removes the wobble is because the steering worm is called more effectively into play, as well as the reduction of the total springyness. Similarly the plain thrust in the steering column prevents the friction of the worm being utilised for damping. (7). That the most effective remedy would be centre point steering with vertical pivots, as you now suggest. | ||