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).
Technical analysis of vehicle steering, suspension, and handling characteristics.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 154\1\ scan0113 | |
| Date | 30th January 1934 | |
| - 2 - Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}1/HP.30.1.34. continuously, not violently, but a small movement all the time. This seems likely to be geometry. We have investigated the application of the SpectreCodename for Phantom III type of steering which would give us perfect geometry, but the resulting alterations to this car may be considered too much. We can arrange the sliding rod type to give perfect geometry but probably with a slight temporary loss of lock. Apart from the joggling the steering seemed easy and pleasant, except at dead low speeds, when it seemed rather heavy, probably due to pivot angle. We have known for some time, and have pointed out to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} that since the wheels remain parallel to the chassis under all conditions, when the car rolls in rounding a corner the wheels are canted over to the angle of roll, and it was considered that this might be noticeable on the steering since it increases the effectiveness of the castor angle, and also tries to roll the wheels round conical surfaces which are in the opposite direction to the steering curve. There is also a gyrostatic reaction at the moment of steering. I looked for signs of this feature, which is referred to in Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/Kn.{D. G. McKechnie - Sales} 26.1.34, but cannot say that I could detect anything outstanding. At speed the car seemed to self-centre rather strongly but I cannot say whether this is more than normal. The method of unequal links tends slightly to reduce the lean on the outer wheel but not very much. I should have thought the car would have been better if sprung rather more stiffly at the back. This would help to reduce the roll and probably reduce pitching. A certain amount of self stabilising could be obtained by setting the lever in the spring-cylinder somewhat towards the rebound, this increasing the power of the springs on the bump on the lines of Mr Horstman, but our guided cylinder is not so effective in this respect as Mr Horstman's links. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} | ||