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).
Comparing their steering system with Hispano's and discussing potential improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 22\1\ Scan252 | |
| Date | 29th June 1925 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} EPY c. to PN.{Mr Northey} CWB. 4414 R2/ M29.6.25. STEERING. X.8430 X.4214 X.8410 With reference to the steering it has always been thought that our steering was the best known. My first impression on seeing the Hispano was that they had very nearly followed us, and had endeavoured to get the same results. Naturally they have not exactly the same figures or design, and there are very slight variations which might cause one to think they are superior. The steering is rather loose owing to the set up springs being softer than ours. The steering is a little slower which tends to make it more irreversible, and less difficult to hold in the hands. We are sure that it would be quite right to make ours 25% slower. The Hispano is lighter on the front wheels, and the front road springs are stiffer, both of which are advantages. The dia. of the worm is greater than our own, which, with the slower steering and lighter buffer springs, would cause the shocks to be less felt. But the type of steering, and general arrangements, are very similar that there cannot be much difference. If we have irreversible steering the car would be heavy to steer, would not be self-righting, and would suffer from steering wobbles,(unless we avoided the longitudinal buffer springs). If we did delete these buffer springs the steering box would get over-strained, and we should have failures of steering gear by breakage, which would be very serious. We consider the new PhantomCodename for PHANTOM I proportions are superior to the Silver Ghost. In no way need it be inferior if both cars are fitted with front brakes. As far as I know for the immediate future we can do nothing more than fit slightly more supple longitudinal springs, and the slightly slower steering ratio, and judging from the records lately received of racing cars (which need fast steering) our steering is unnecessarily fast, and I am very strongly in favour of reducing the speed 20% and fitted 25% stiffer road springs in the front, and also proportionally less front braking. No-one has a perfect scheme and we can see there is always room to make different combinations. contd :- | ||