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).
Backlash and ball bearing issues in a 22-G-V steering system.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 101\2\ scan0017 | |
| Date | 29th June 1936 | |
| X5072 W/N - Mr. Hancock. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}21/KW.29.6.36. 22-G-V Steering. We note that the above steering is not 100% since it was rebuilt with the new roller and ball bearings and that you intend to dismantle it again to find the cause for this. GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/HFH{Hoppy F. Hamilton} informs us that two of your troubles are (a) Backlash in the straight ahead position and (b) Inability to tighten the nut on the pin supporting the roller follower ball races owing to the distance piece between these races being too thin. Concerning (a) We assume you appreciate that backlash is adjusted by moving the rockershaft bodily to the offside of the car by varying the thickness of the packing washers behind the rockershaft bearing races. Is it possible that you have inadvertently changed over these packing washers ? Concerning (b). We are enclosing two distance pieces for the ball races of the roller follower which are respectively 0.010" and 0.015" thicker than standard. If you fit one of these it will probably be necessary to reduce its length so that while it takes the tightening load from the nut the desired preload is obtained on the bearings. Our production people say that if there is too much preload on these ball bearings there is a clicking noise when the steering wheel is rotated. We have had several cases of bearings in roller followers failing, but in no instance have any other parts been distorted or damaged. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/F.J.Hardy. | ||