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).
Cures for steering complaints by altering ratios, worms, and springs.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 17\3\ Scan249 | |
| Date | 5th May 1928 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} c. to BJ. WOr.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} OY. 47430. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/LGS. 5. 28. 40/50 STEERING. X. 8430 X. 7430 With reference to the curing of complaints by reducing the overall steering ratio. The attached list indicates what we understand to be the method you would like us to adopt on the various existing types of steering. We agree with DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} that the shortest pendulum lever which can be fitted to existing cars is 10". It is proposed to fit this to future cars. The most awkward case is that of cars having .720 lead worms and the old type front axle. If we cannot satisfy customers with this combination, apparently we have no alternative but to revert to the worm and steering box shewn in column 3. In the case of Mr. Geoffrey Summers, no .825 lead worms being then in existence, we supplied him with a 8.25" pendulum lever. This cured his complaint. There is no doubt that the lower geared worm is a very much better method of achieving the same result. We want to retain 1500 lbs/1" rating springs if we can because they reduce the chance of high speed wobbles starting. This strength of spring was also fitted to 14-EX at Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence; although we fitted the 2000 lbs/1" springs to the sports car, we consider that for the best allround results the present springs should be retained. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rn.{Mr Robinson} | ||