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).
Letter from F.H. Royce discussing steering wobble, referred to as 'flapping', and proposed improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\4\ Scan023 | |
| Date | 4th December 1912 | |
| FHR9/H41212 [Stamp: W.M. RECEIVED 9 DEC 1912] [Handwritten: by Wormald] GRAND HOTEL DU CANADEL, Par le Lavandou, (VAR) 4th Dec. 1912. Mr Johnson from F.H.R. for T.C. Re Steering. I enclose herewith a cutting from the "Autocar" in which the writer refers to wobbling of the steering as flapping. I understand that we can uniformly get rid of this effect by our old practice of slightly inclining the top end of the steering pivots backwards. This should be done only in moderation as we have certain disadvantages in turning corners when this inclination is carried to excess. I am anxiously awaiting the result of the improvement in the steering when the alxe has been altered so that the steering pivots are nearer the centre of the wheel as is possible, when wire wheels are used. Such axles should be ready for fitting to all cars with wire wheels as soon as we have made the necessary tests. F.H.Royce. [Handwritten in margin: X457] | ||