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).
Steering tests, investigating deterioration believed to be caused by multiple small modifications.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\L\Jan1924-March1924\ Scan54 | |
| Date | 12th July 1923 | |
| R.R. 493A (40 H) (SL 42 12-7-23). J.H., D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} EXPERIMENTAL REPORT. Expl. No. 9940 / 9420 REF: HED/A.993.E.24. SECRET. EAC. STEERING TESTS. To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to CJ. EG. c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} WOR.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Our further tests on steering lead us to believe that the deterioration in the steering has come about due to a number of small modifications rather than all caused by one. On the cars we have been criticising there have been a number of modifications which will not be used on the cars we deliver to customers. We are now conducting a series of tests starting from a standard 40/50 HP. car on which we have a record of steering (when one is out to criticise, the standard 40/50 steering is not ideal) and gradually building up with the new parts. So far, the results show that taking a front wheel brake axle complete with steering levers - without any brakes - and fixing that on to a standard car, does not make the steering markedly different. The differences, if any, are such that it will be necessary to repeat the tests several times before a decision can be made. At the present time we have in hand the following experiments :- 1. Taking a standard 40/50 car and gradually building up unit by unit with the front wheel brake parts. 2. We have found that it is possible from the existing forgings to produce an axle and pivots suitable for front wheel brakes to give the same geometry as the existing 40/50 HP. This we shall be testing shortly. contd:- | ||