Rolls-Royce Archives
         « Prev  Box Series  Next »        

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 issues on a PII model, attributing the problem to the bodywork and suggesting tests on tires, shock absorbers, and alignment.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 19\3\  Scan129
Date  7th January 1930
  
OY-2

To: Mr. Burton
From: Mr. Olley

Cc- Mr. Ross
Mr. Caswell
Mr. Knapton

Mr. Soutter
Mr. Southern (Eng.)
Mr. E.W. Hives (Eng.)

Jan 7, 1930.

STEERING - L.H. PII
69-WJ

This car, which steered well as a chassis with ballast box, has now been fitted for purposes of test with a temporary open touring body applied without subframe and with a fabric cowl.

It appears to repeat what has been noted previously in England and on 2501 series PI cars here, namely that the application of the body has spoilt the steering.

The "jellying" of the front end of the frame noted in our reports from England, is much more noticeable on this car. The car has similar characteristics to our X01 series before we discontinued the 45" front springs. On this series we found that fitting stiffer front springs goes far to cure the trouble.

This car has 20 x 7 S.S. tires. We can fit 21 x 7 S.S. tires for which we have wheels, and we should also arrange to try 19 x 7 S.S. tires for which we shall have to order a pair of wheels to be built up on some existing PII hub shells.

This is the size we want to use and which England has agreed to our using subject to getting satisfactory steering.

Would therefore proceed as follows:-

1. Check tire pressure, wheel balance, pivot lean. (Should be 3° by Duby gauge). Tire pressure 40 lbs. as per PII Inst. Book.

2. Check steering tube loading (Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}-114).

3. Check front shock absorbers. Should be 70% up 80% down with solid valves i.e. slight leakage on up stroke but none on down stroke.

4. Make comparative test of S.S. tires:-
21 x 7, 20 x 7, and 19 x 7.
If possible this test should be made all at one time so we have a clear idea of the relative effect of the three sizes.

- continued -
  
  


Copyright Sustain 2025, All Rights Reserved.    whatever is rightly done, however humble, is noble
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙