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).
Solutions for steering wobbles, including tyre balancing, tyre pressure, and steering ratio adjustments.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\4\ Scan269 | |
| Date | 14th August 1925 | |
| To SI. from BJ. Copies to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hyde W-O-H PN{Mr Northey} STEERING. PN{Mr Northey}: reports that he and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} had a very useful conversation with R.{Sir Henry Royce} and the West WitteringHenry Royce's home town people yesterday concerning steering wobbles. The outcome, briefly, was that R.{Sir Henry Royce} was disappointed that W. had not progressed further with the suggestions in regard to lower geared steering ratio and new pendulum lever, and he has instructed that this shall be pushed on with all speed. He hopes that this will result in a permanent cure. On the other hand, we have to face the present position that chassis are being delivered every day, and will soon be on the road in their present dangerous state. I would suggest that it would be well for R.{Sir Henry Royce} to agree that we should take advantage at once of all the information Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} has obtained in regard to the balancing of tyres and the increased pressure, which tests so far have indicated do materially decrease the tendency to wobble, although they may not definitely overcome it entirely. Also, this balancing of wheels could only be looked on as a temporary measure, for the reason that it apparently only applies to Dunlop tyres. If some other tyre is fitted, the balancing would be incorrect. Increasing the pressure of the tyres could only be looked on as a temporary expedient, as we do not want always to have to run Rolls-Royce cars with hard front tyres. The actual maximum tyre pressure which is desirable has yet to be carefully considered, as on the one side we cannot agree to issue cars with tyres as hard as cast iron, or which would give customers a bad impression re vibration; on the other hand, we wish to ascertain what is the minimum increase of tyre pressure which is necessary to make the car safe, and we have to strike a balance between these two points and give the customer something which is safe and yet reasonably comfortable. We understand the Works are now experimenting as quickly as possible to obtain all information on this point. The point for R.{Sir Henry Royce} and the Works to consider is whether they are of opinion that it is safe for us temporarily | ||