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).
Steering stiffness on the 20 HP car, comparing the existing friction device with a proposed spring-loaded cross steering tube.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67\3\ scan0011 | |
| Date | 1st November 1926 | |
| [Handwritten top center: X8425] To DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/LG3.11.26. STEERING. [Handwritten: X7425] With reference to DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}1/M2.11.26. We do not consider that under any circumstances the effect of lack of lubrication on the spring loaded cross steering tube balls will affect the low speed steering of the car as much as the present friction device on the 20 HP. car, if un-lubricated. During the recent 10,000 miles test in France, we did not have any report from the testers that the steering tended to stiffen up towards the end of the days run due to the ball ends becoming dry. The unit load on the cross steering tube ball ends for a portion of the 10,000 miles was very severe. We intend however to carry out tests with the spring loaded cross steering tube fitted up as recently standardised and seeing what change occurs in the load obtained on the steering wheel rim from this friction after a considerable time has ellapsed without attention. We should like to point out that on the present cross steering tube without spring load, the ball usually wears most in the central position of the steering where all the high speed hammering takes effect. If adjustment is made to take up this wear, the steering is likely to become very heavy on a lock due to the ball having worn oval. The spring loaded ball will obviate this. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} | ||