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).
Cause and recommended solutions for rattles in the Phantom III steering control.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 95\1\ scan0315 | |
| Date | 1st July 1936 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} c. to Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} x350 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}24/KW.1.7.36. Phantom III Steering Control Rattles. Considerable trouble was experienced on the first production Ph.III chassis with steering control rattles. In order to overcome this with existing pieces the Test Dept. increased the diametral clearance between the fitting on the stationary control tube and the worm tube from 0.010" to 0.020". Up to the present this has effected a complete cure on production. Of the experimental chassis, 36-EX is the only one with this increased clearance and is also the only one which is free from rattle. In addition to the increased clearance, the Test Dept. asked that the felt collar on the stationary control tube should be moved nearer to the upper end. This arrangement is shown by Lec.4869 which at the same time reverts to the original clearance of .010". We have tested this scheme on 37-EX and find that the controls still rattle slightly. We therefore intend to increase the clearance to 0.020". We consider that the larger clearance is likely to be far more effective than the altered position of the felt washer. Apart from the question of rattles, the latter arrangement, Lec.4869, is the more logical design in comparison with the present scheme as it is slightly lighter and cheaper and, so far as we can see, can have no disadvantages. We therefore recommend that it should be standardised as our tests on the increased clearance will be completed before any parts are made. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/F.J.Hardy. | ||