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).
Draft letter to 'Silver Ghost' owners regarding steering wheel vibration and the importance of wheel balancing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 4\3\ 03-page57 | |
| Date | 1st December 1925 guessed | |
| No. K401 DRAFT. TO BJ. Ha. K.{Mr Kilner} CWB. FROM PN{Mr Northey} Proposed letter to be sent to owners of "Silver Ghost" cars fitted with Front Wheel Brakes. We think it desirable to revert to a matter which was freely discussed about fifteen years ago in connection with the avoidance of any tendency which might exist with relatively sensitive and direct steering such as is fitted to Rolls-Royce cars, to develop an uneven vibration of the steering-wheel when running at high speeds, due to a want of proper balance of steering-wheels complete with tyres. In these days of arterial roads, high power engines and a tendency to low pressure tyres, the wisdom of keeping the wheels properly balanced becomes accentuated, and when it is realised that a wheel-with-tyre only 4 ozs. out of balance will, at a road speed of 60 m.p.h. have the equivalent of 25 lbs out of balance, it can readily be seen that reasonable steps should be taken to avoid the inevitable wobbling effect which might be produced. However well a wheel itself might be balanced, by the time a tyre cover and tube are fitted in position, the balance will frequently become considerably upset. Probably because any tendency to steering wobbles with Rolls-Royce owners has been very seldom met with, there has not been as much care as might be in ensuring that all wheels of a car have had proper attention from this point of view. The Rolls-Royce Company in pursuing its policy that no part or component of a Rolls-Royce car should remain in a state other than as perfect as possible from all practical points of view, is willing to undertake, without charge, the balancing of the wheels of your "Silver Ghost" which has been fitted with front wheel brakes, whenever you can find it convenient to have it delivered at either our Works or one of our Service Depots for one day, after giving reasonable notice of your intention to do so. P.N. | ||