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).
Replacement of leather stockings on steering joints with a new metal shield design.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154a\4\ scan0285 | |
| Date | 14th November 1933 | |
| x3705 To Sft. {Mr Swift} from E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} E.3/HP.14.11.33. c. Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hy. {Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} re Leather Stockings on Steering Joints. Referring to the improved form of leather stocking you handed to me, suggested by somebody in the works, I think great credit is due for the enthusiasm shown and the trouble taken in making a working model of the idea. As I mentioned to you however at the time I did not know how the rubber part of this modified design would stand up to the movement of the steering ball and to the grease, and also I had long cherished the idea of getting rid of leather stockings altogether on the steering joints on Rolls-Royce cars. To my mind the leather stocking protects everything that it need not and leaves exposed the very part it is intended to cover. The attached blueprints N. Sch's 3845 and 3848 show the scheme we are proposing to substitute for leather stockings as applied on the Bentley. You will see that the device consists of a small metal shield pressed in such a form that it fits round the neck of the ball and also conforms to the cylindrical shape of the steering joint and is pressed into contact with this latter by a suitable spring reacting between itself and the boss of the steering lever. The body of the joint which does not require protection is simply left exposed, the sheet metal shield confining itself to the gap where dirt is likely to work in and lubricant likely to work out. It will be kept automatically lubricated by the oil supply to the joint and does not interfere with the freedom of movement of the joint in any way. I am sending you this so that you will see that we really have in view banishing the leather stocking form of protection altogether. E. {Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||