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).
Test results concerning friction in the steering mechanism.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\Q\February1927-March1927\ 12 | |
| Date | 7th February 1927 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to EY. OY. c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/RmL/LG7.2.27. FRICTION IN THE STEERING. Tests we have been carrying out recently have given us the impression that we are in error in concentrating our friction in the steering gear on the side of the longitudinal tube remote from the steering wheel. A combination of desirable friction and flexibility in the steering in these positions undoubtedly gives rise to a slight feeling of sponginess when driving in traffic. Though weak side steering tube springs reduce the intensity of the thrust of a road shock upon the hand, they do not eliminate it because the only resistance interposed between the springs and the hand is that due to the worm and nut, and under light loads the worm and nut are comparatively reversible. Therefore the driver gets little shocks which irritate him but against which he can easily hold the wheel. We have proved experimentally that if there is a little more resistance in the worm and nut under light loads the kinetic energy of the road shocks is to a great extent absorbed by the side steering tube springs without imparting any shock to the wheel. However, though initially a worm and nut can be made to be quite tight and yet, by good bedding, give easy steering, after a considerable mileage this initial tightness inevitably disappears. This has actually occurred on 12-EX., the steering of which was origianally very good but contd :- | ||