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).
Twisted rocker shaft in the steering column of chassis 3.CP.88 for Mr. Herman Cron.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 153\1\ scan0284 | |
| Date | 15th July 1938 | |
| COPY. Sr. C. c. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} c. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} BY.2/G.15.7.38. CHASSIS 3.CP.88. MR. HERMAN CRON. Sr/VA.1/AD.7.7.38. I have no doubt but that the position outlined in the above memo in connection with chassis 3.CP.88, when it was found that the rocker shaft in the steering column was twisted to 8 to 10°, that this is the result of a bump, which might not be considered by anybody as an accident, but which will be sufficiently serious as a shock to twist the shaft. This effect would be assisted on the Phantom III by the fact that we have straight steering connections instead of a side steering tube which approximates to one of Harry Lauder's walking sticks. I do not think that we can justly charge for the work done in putting the steering column right, as it is very evident that a shock entailed to twist the shaft is such as could occur under shunt operations, when the car might run into a high kerb. The twisting however could not occur except under the conditions of some such minor accident. We are making the rocker shaft from 71 in 'D' onwards in a higher tensile material, which will double the force necessary to twist the shaft in question. BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||