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).
Confidential memo discussing worm and nut steering systems, referencing a quotation from Autocar about Sunbeam's progress.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 24\1\ Scan016 | |
| Date | 1st July 1925 | |
| 4446 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} EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to PN.{Mr Northey} CWB. CONFIDENTIAL. R1/M.7.25. RE. STEERING. X. 8430 X. 446 Further to our remarks on steering contained in R2/M29.6.25., the following is a quotation from the Autocar of Aug. 15th.1924 - "Talking of the Sunbeam, its handling on the road is a revelation of the progress made by the Sunbeam Co. during the past few years. For one thing the latest worm and nut steering is infinitely better than anything that has been used by the manufacturers before, is light to handle, absolutely decided, and in consequence, does not impose the least fatigue upon the driver". You will see by this that the Sunbeam in that year adopted the same type as we have used practically in all RR. cars - ( a few heavy 4-cyl. cars had worm and sector). There is little doubt but that the above indicates that both the Sunbeam and the Hispano people have possibly, through RR. influence, changed from the worm and sector to the worm and nut. I admit there may be some slight difference in the proportions which may have affected the result, but it is a little bit disappointing to be told that the 2 cars that are thought to be superior to ours, are probably two that have followed us in practice. The Worm and nut type of the ordinary proportions do not make irreversible steering. If the steering is not irreversible it is necessary to use springs between the hand contd :- | ||