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).
Diagnosis and proposed solution for a persistent high-speed steering wobble on a customer's car.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\2\ Scan412 | |
| Date | 26th November 1930 | |
| S/W... Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} -> Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} -> Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} "H" X4 117 C6/C26.11.30 Re Capt.The Hon.Charles Winn. 137-XJ. ------- 180 G.Y Lord Furness Ein of Dec As you are doubtless aware, this is probably one of the most troublesome cases of insistent steering wobble that we have had to deal with for some time. Again during the last three days this owner's car has been returned to us with evidence from Barkers that he is more than disgruntled at the repetition of a high speed steering wobble. On examination at "N" we have not found anything the matter with the steering equipment, including hydraulic shock absorbers, but on the other hand our tests have shown that although steering wobble does not set up in perhaps 99% of the tests which would be made with this car, yet the hundredth test will enable this to take place. In other words, it is considered to be on the borderline. We have found that the front springs are on the light side. The buffers show signs of being frequently hit; also the steering column nut and worm are on the slack side. As these two features alone are well known to contribute towards this undesirable complaint, we feel that we must leave no stone unturned to avoid its recurrence. Therefore PN.{Mr Northey} in consultation with Rb.{R. Bowen} and Br.{T. E. Bellringer - Repair Manager}, recommends that the front springs and steering column with nut and worm should be changed. You have already arranged to give instructions to send a set of stronger springs to "N" last night. Would you please now give instructions to select an extremely good nut and worm and despatch it complete with column to "N" at your earliest convenience. The car is waiting for it to be fitted. It is also proposed to examine, and if possible reduce the lean of the steering pivots if we find this can be done without undue loss of self-centreing. If there are any other suggestions you can give us to help in effecting a permanent cure we should be grateful as we do feel we have exhausted this customer's patience on this complaint and want to make a good job of it on this occasion. C. | ||