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 improvements for the 20 HP and 45 HP models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\3\ Scan205 | |
| Date | 25th March 1928 | |
| DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} RL/M25.3.28. +7430 X.5430 X.7430 20 HP. & 45 HP. STEERING. PN.{Mr Northey} says that the sports car was very good, but still imperfect, because there is too much reaction on pot-holey road. I tell him that we are trying to obtain more constant oil film in the large worm, .900 pitch, and if so, we might go to more nearly irreversible angle. Is it definitely concluded that an irreversible steering will not do for high speed? Are we not reducing the speed of our steering to the slowest possible? It has been done somewhat, lately by the shorter pendulum. This I favour greatly, and if possible, and not already done, it should be adopted as std. at the first convenient opportunity, even if some scrap is involved. It would naturally not be a serious sum, and well worth the expenditure. My impression is that the cause of the imperfection mentioned by PN.{Mr Northey} arises from gyrostatic forces, which can only be eliminated by parallel moving wheels - Lancia, Sizaire, type - or by irreversible steering gear, but can be reduced by lower speed of steering and less reversible steering gear, or weaker springs in the longitudinal tube. I have heard nothing of the next 10,000 miles Phantom. I can only conclude it is waiting for central lubrication. The improved parts included in 14-EX (blue open sports - Hooper) should be standardised if possible at once. I think we should at once get our 20 HP. steering made slower, somewhere between 2.5 to 2.75 turns from full lock to full lock. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||