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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).
Letter from Cadillac discussing steering gear and the advantages of a front stabilizer.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 170\2\  img239
Date  12th January 1935
  
E C to Wo. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Haly

CADILLAC MOTOR CAR COMPANY
DETROIT, MICHIGAN

CADILLAC AND LA{L. A. Archer} SALLE MOTOR CARS

January 12, 1935.

Mr. W. A.{Mr Adams} Robotham,
Rolls-Royce, Limited,
Derby, England.

Dear RM{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}:

Am trying to clean up accumulated tag ends on letters from you before I become absorbed by another biggish job.

Steering. As I think I explained fully we don't think the Cadillac gear would be completely satisfactory because the helix angle is not as small. Apparently with this type of gear irreversibility occurs at about 5 degrees, so that small decreases between six and five degrees make a lot of difference in reversibility.

I also believe that an approach to irreversibility is unnecessary and that your present steering will be much better with a front stabilizer.

We look upon the front stabilizer as essential to best handling and beneficial for tire wear.

Let me see whether I can put the advantages of front stabilizer in few words:

As compared with the rear stabilizer (which should be removed) it:--

(1) Produces a more stable handling car. In particular cures the "oversteering" which you speak of.

(2) Improves cornering ability.

(3) Prevents dangerous rear skids when brakes are applied in emer-

(4) Appears to reduce both front and rear tire wear.
  
  


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