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).
Steering problems, including tests, lubricants, temperature, and potential design improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 65a\1\ scan0098 | |
| Date | 12th August 1927 | |
| X7770 To OY. from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn{Mr Robinson}4/LG12.8.27. STEERINGS. +8430 I am sorry I was unable to answer any of your notes before you left England but I was away on holiday. Since returning I have concentrated on your steering problem. The car used for the test was the cabriolet Phantom with the semi-elliptic rear springs which you probably drove, which has rather a better steering than 12-EX as it was made at a later date. We have absolutely proved to our satisfaction that this steering cannot be made to stick or tighten up when lubricated with either Motorine 'B' or 'C'. (I only wish you had been here to see Hancock perform the test). I know it is not very hopeful to be told that the stickiness is, after all, a question of the worm and nut manufacture, but this is undoubtedly so. Above everything we do not wish to insinuate that it is easy to get a perfect worm and nut, or that we have better facilities than you have. We do not know whether you are using the oil grooves in the worm. Personally we believe the most perfect steering can be obtained without them. Anyhow the most perfect steering that we have has no oil grooves. We wired you to see if you can do anything to reduce the temperature of your steering box; how it attains a temperature of 180°F mystifies me. We are naturally doing everything that we can to discover a lubricant which will improve a bad steering. We really feel however that if you get a lower over-all steering ratio you will overcome the majority of your peoples complaints. We are sending you a blueprint of the latest worm and nut scheme which we have just got on the move here and which we think will be the best we have had yet. Also particulars of the Phantom head, pistons and valve timing of 12-EX as requested. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} | ||