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).
Letter discussing steering wobble in cars, potential cures, and the effects of different components on steering sensitivity.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 20\2\ Scan107 | |
Date | 24th January 1921 guessed | |
Oy7)G71020 (3) When I say that in the case of imported cars a cure is effected, I do not mean that when the steering wheel is clutched one cannot detect a tendency for the front wheels to continue vibrating, whereas before the plungers were fitted they would wobble for thirty seconds or one minute thereafter, or in some cases would continue wobbling indefinitely, after the spring plungers were fitted they would steady up after three or four oscillations. We agree with Mr.Hives that a plain thrust washer gives a steering which is more sensitive when going over a bumpy road because the bumps vary the load on the thrust surfaces. This is most noticeable on American cars, which are generally very stiff in steering until one gets in motion, or particularly if the road is rough they steer easily. We think that our suggested device, illustrated in the blue print attached to my report of August 9th on this subject is worth Mr.Royce's consideration because the amount of friction can be so readily adjusted. We did not key the steering pivot or lower the thrust washer in this case because we considered, from our experience with the spring plungers, that so little friction was required to cure the wobbling. If we had to put on much friction it would be necessary to use Woodruff keys as shown in print XA-216, as enclosed in our report of the same date, or some similar device. Very truly yours, Rolls-Royce of America, Inc. Per M.Olley. MO/G CCMessrs. Belnap,Nadin,Keim Bagnall,Caswell, Hulley,Humpston, Poole,Steele. | ||