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).
Weakness of steering lock stops and a proposal to strengthen them.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 20\5\ Scan019 | |
| Date | 25th April 1921 | |
| X426 By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} From EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} C. to HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} C. to Dn. C. to M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}16/F25.4.21. X426 RE. STEERING LOCK STOPS. Although every attention is given to see that these stops are set correctly so as to give full lock and yet obtain the necessary clearance prior to the chassis being delivered from the Works, we still find that both on pre-war cars and post-war cars, after they have been in service a short time, the off-side front tyre fouls the side steering tube on the extreme right-hand lock. This complaint has been brought forward on one or two previous occasions but does not seem to have received any attention so far as suggested alterations are concerned, and the point has again been brought forward by 'N' who point out that this failure happens on cars which have been through their hands and on which they know that the lock stops have been correctly set, which they point out proves that the lock stops give way. They suggest that these stops should be designed much stronger so that they will stand up to their work. Our action for dealing with this complaint in the past has been that we do not consider it wise for the stops to be absolutely rigid, as in case the steering is strained under full lock conditions, it is more advisable that these stops should give way rather than the steering in other respects should be strained, and these stops should act as safety stops in more than one sense. We consider that the stops as they are seem certainly too weak and give way under the slightest provocation, and we consider they should be strengthened up to advantage. We believe you suggested some time ago that these should be made of slightly stronger material. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||