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).
The condition and performance of steering, axle, brake, and suspension components following a test.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\O\2April1926-June1926\ Scan096 | |
| Date | 15th January 1926 guessed | |
| - 5 - Steering column & box. The steering generally is a great improvement. We have had no signs of steering wabble at high speeds, until the C.S. Front shock damper failed; we then had symptoms of a high speed wabble. The oscillation of the steering wheel is practically nil on good roads. On bad roads, at moderate speeds there are oscillations of the wheel; and at high speeds these are at times very severe. There are also jars felt on the steering wheel; due to the column whipping and, insufficient clearance between the instrument board and column. Low speed wabbles developed towards the finish of the test. There has been a total absence of steering wandering, which is a marked improvement over the previous steerings. We have at no time experienced any tightening up of the steering. Front axle & pivots. Front axle to M.S. 2058 and Arrangt. Drg. D.52834. Lean of pivots 3 1/2°. We cannot detect any faults with the front axle at the finish of test. The brake operating shafts have operated aatisfactorily and no wear in bearings can be detected. The man in charge of oiling the car, states that water is ejected from these bearings when oiling; after the car has been running during wet weather. There was a slight amount of play in front ball end of side steering tube at finish of test. We can now detect a slight wear in pivots bearings; we have not dismantled the bearings and examination of thrust bearings will be left untill the car returns to Derby. Front brakes. Improved dust covers G.52940-1-2-3-4. We are of the opinion that the dust covers are quite satisfactory. The brakes have remained in a very good condition. The wear of the shoe linings has been very small. The adjustement required at the finish of the test was one notch on either brake. The braking surface of the drums has remained in good condition. We have had bad squeaking from the M.S. during the test. This has alternatively come and gone. Front road springs. 690 Lbs LENOINE springs fitted with WEFCO gaiters. Front road springs have been examined at finish of test and no signs of cracks in leaves can be detected. The flexibility of the springs has remained throughout the test. The majority of the tie clips have become loose due to the rivets giving way. The spring clips have remained secure throughout the test. The front and rear anchorage from outside examination, appear to be in good condition. We have not experienced heavy hitting of the buffers during the test. Front shock dampers. Hydraulic shock dampers arranged in accordance with scheme E.X.1692, also air release scheme to Arrangt. Drg. T.74419. These continued to function aatisfactorily up to 9000 miles approx. At this mileage the C.S. damper failed. The lever on shaft broke through one corner of the square. The head of the bolt was also broken off. | ||