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).
Investigation into the cause and remedy for faulty steering on trials car 1-LW.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 20\2\ Scan051 | |
| Date | 26th January 1920 | |
| EH. from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to Bns EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}4/F26.1.20. x1295 / x3461 x2628 / x3922 x963 RE. FAULTY STEERING. We have for some time received complaints from the Sales Dept. as regards the faulty steering on their covered trials car 1-LW. We have investigated the fault, and have satisfied ourselves that the constructional points in connection with this steering are satisfactory from which time we have received no further complaints until the car arrived at the works the other day for the changing of the axles, when we were given to understand that the steering was considered unsafe. Handwritten note in left margin: Front axle pivots 22R when frame level. (Standard is 5°) In testing the car, although the steering was certainly light, I did not consider that it was any worse than the usual steering. We had not much time to experiment on this car, as it was required back in London, but I felt that an improvement had been affected by the fixing of larger front wheels (which had a fairly good surface contact to the road), also the front shock absorbers were set a little stronger. I have this morning received a report from Mr.Birkett who drove the car from here to London, who confirms the fact that it was certainly better. In testing the car, we were of the opinion that the steering was affected, or felt to be affected, by the "sway" due to the flexibility of the rear springs, a point which Mr.Birkett now also confirms on his return journey to London. This fault is also aggravated by running on tram lines which are the same track as the front wheels (which is not the case in Derby) especially if the lines are sunk below the road surface. We consider that the fixing of shock absorbers would be a good thing to try on this car, which you confirmed, and promised to supply us with a set as soon as possible. We have therefore rigged up this car with suitable fittings so that these shock absorbers can be fixed when they are ready. Please advise me when we can expect these, so that I can advise Sales Dept. accordingly. In the meantime, I understand from Mr.Birkett that PN{Mr Northey} himself and Crawford (CJ's Driver) are making further tests of the steering of this car and will report to us more fully. Contd. O392 O-6189 919 DESK JL D(I)Y S M H | ||