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).
Experiments and potential solutions for steering wobble issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\4\ Scan034 | |
| Date | 4th June 1913 | |
| COPY. Mr Wormald from F.H.R., Copies sent to: Mr Johnson. Mr Haldenby. Re Steering Wobbles. - X.457 Mr Haldenby's report is exceedingly interesting and the experiments seem to have been quite well carried out. It is wonderful how near all the steerings are to the same physical conditions, we having apparently, still the best lock. I think that it will be found that there is a great difference in the degree of reversibility i.e. a force of, say, 20 lbs at 10" from the centre of the pivot, that is, 200 inch pounds round the pivot can be held by varying inch pounds at the steering wheel or, in other words, will exert various degrees of torsion in different cars. It should be tested in this way. Motion in the steering system should be brought about by an increase in torsion at the road wheels. To do this experiment really nicely a grooved pulley (a wooden one will do) should be fitted instead of the steering wheel and other free running large diameter pulleys placed in a suitable position so that a flex rope and weights can be used to represent the torsion at the steering wheel exerted by a force at the road wheels. The result would enable us to get a figure of merit of efficiency which, if too high, is undesirable and can be reduced by the plain thrust bearing in the steering column. With reference to the Delaunay-Belleville which you say is much better for steering wobbles, will you get this taken down and the exact particulars taken of it and a rough drawing made. In addition, I shall be pleased to know if this chassis steers really well at all speeds and going round corners and if the steering is self-righting. For a quick improvement get the temporary plain thrust bearings from Mr Spinney for our chassis. F.H.R. COPY | ||