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).
Investigation report into excessive slackness and jamming in a Phantom III steering column for chassis 3.BU.94.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 146\1\ scan0077 | |
| Date | 5th November 1937 | |
| To Rolls-Royce Ltd. Derby Copy to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Levallois Handwritten notes: E.J.H. noted J.H. Please return to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} 124S Re: EXCESSIVE SLACKNESS IN PHANTOM III STEERING COLUMNS. Chassis Nos. 3.BU.94 & 3.CP.114 CHASSIS 3.BU.94 - de Villeroy - 9000 Kms. The above car was sent to us on the 16.9.37 in order that we should carry out modifications and attend to a complaint of steering wobble, etc... Upon testing the car, we found that the steering wobbled rather badly. We also observed that there was a certain amount of slackness in the steering column: the pendulum lever had nearly 1/8" of free movement when the cam and roller were in the centre position. We modified the ends of the cross steering tubes by fitting stronger type springs and, upon testing the car, we found the steering to be quite free from wobbles and joggles. Owing to extreme pressure of work and in view of the fact that the car had to be sent to Binder, the Coachbuilders, at a fixed date in order to be prepared for the Paris Motor Show, it was decided that we would attend to the steering after the end of the Motor Show. After the Motor Show, the car was returned to Binder. The owner took delivery of the car from the Coachbuilders and it was then arranged with him that we would attend to the steering in about a week's time. The owner called at our Showrooms on Tuesday last to say that excessive play had developed in the steering, which had nearly caused an accident, through partly jamming on the left lock. The mileage of the car was then 9325 Kms. The car was sent to us and we were amazed when we observed the amount of slackness or free movement of the steering wheel: there was almost a quarter turn of the steering wheel (with front wheels parallel to the frame). We dismantled the steering column and box and discovered the following: F.87135 Bolt - Pronounced traces of hammer marks on the head. F.87132 Adjusting shims - Were trapped while being fitted and chips from same probably fell into the F.87752 timken rolled bearings. F.87752 Timken roller bearings - Failure of the two bearings. F.77130 Inner roller race - Ball path damaged. F.87552 Roller - Ball path damaged. | ||