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).
Customer complaints of road shocks in Phantom steering and proposing a modification to the side steering springs as a solution.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67\4\ scan0050 | |
| Date | 27th April 1926 | |
| To BJ. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} c. to PN.{Mr Northey} CWB. x8430 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}4/LG27.4.26. PHANTOM STEERING. x8430 x.8450 We suggest there are several alternative moves which might improve joggles or road shocks felt on the original type Phantom steerings. We are not surprised that customers are complaining of this, especially when driving fast over Continental roads. The trouble however is not peculiar to the Phantom, it is very bad on 40/50 cars fitted with front wheel brakes. The experimental testers running cars 10,000 miles in France have experienced this complaint more than any one else because of the conditions under which the test cars are run. We have proved that we can make a 50% improvement to this particular complaint by changing the springs in the side steering tube. We admit that this modification makes the steering less perfect in other respects, but as most things on a car are a compromise, we think that weaker springs in the side steering tube make a very definite improvement to the steering when used under the conditions of Continental driving. Our man Hancock is at present in France - we believe at the moment he is actually in Paris. We have wired to him to investigate the complaint reported by Ps. and we are also sending him by air mail the modified steering springs so that he can show what improvement is made. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||