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).
High-speed steering wobble issues on the 40/50HP chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\4\ Scan239 | |
| Date | 20th May 1925 | |
| COPY. N-W. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager} Br1/H20/5/25. re High Speed Steering Wobbles on 40/50 Chassis. ----------------- We have recently received a fair number of complaints concerning the above trouble on 40/50HP cars which are fitted with front wheel brakes. In some cases we have found definite causes for this and been able to cure it, such as loose spring clips, slack ball joints etc., but in other cases we have ascertained that everything is quite up to standard and still an alarming wobble at anything over 60 m.p.h. has existed. In one case, viz. the latest car belonging to the Prince of Wales, we understand that high speed steering wobbles were dealt with when the car came to "W", but the car was brought to us with a complaint that the trouble still existed, even though the Rapson tyres had been discarded and Dunlop tyres tried. In this case we found the steering gear to be very light, although all the ball joints etc. were correctly adjusted. As a last resource on this car we supplied and fitted a friction device to the nearside pivot, and this made the steering satisfactory at high speed without introducing any sluggishness. We have had two cases this week where even a second friction device has not had the desired effect. I shall be glad, therefore, if you can let me know of the Works' experience with this trouble, and if any definite cure is known. This matter is very urgent as the complaints are becoming frequent, and also this particular trouble is being rather generally discussed amongst chauffeurs and owners of modern cars. Br, [STAMP: RECEIVED AT LILLIE HALL Br, 28 MAY 1925 H?] | ||