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).
Reports on steering friction, particularly in cross-steering tube balls, and proposed modifications.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\3\ scan0010 | |
| Date | 17th February 1927 | |
| Oy6-E-21727 X3682 February 17th, 1927. To: Mr. Beaver cc Mr. Nadin Mr. Hulley Mr. Burton Mr. Haldenby Mr. Hives From: Mr. Olley Re Steering Friction in pivots, or cross steering tube, also hydraulic steering damper We have some reports from England which show what can be expected from various types of friction. 1. Friction on Cross-Steering Tube Balls. This is now standardized with a spring load of 1250 lbs. giving approx. 875 lbs.ins. additional friction in the steering. This approximately doubles the friction obtained with the normal pivot on the new axle, but is to be compared with 2800 lbs.ins. between tires and road in shunting car. That is it adds 12% to the friction to be overcome in parking as compared with a present car with a very loose cross steering tube. Since all our cars have very tight cross-steering tubes the change should be scarcely recognizable. If we find it too much we have only to grind a sixteenth of an inch off the spring or the inner spring pad, to halve the load. England found the wear inconsiderable - .001 in 10,000 miles. We shall undoubtedly have still less wear with the central oiling. Every note from England - either from Experimental Dept. or Hallam - speaks most highly of this as an invaluable cure for low speed wobbles on all cars. We are arranging to make it available on all cars (1-1765) by a special ball end stud (1.075 dia. instead of 1.125 dia.), which is necessary to fit the pads of the new cross-tube, and a special "frying pan" for the bottom of the stud, adapted for use with alemite fitting. | ||