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).
Outlining three combinations of irreversible steering components to be tested to avoid steering wobbles.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\4\ Scan299 | |
| Date | 1st August 1922 | |
| X4264 To Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R. {Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. BJ. c. to EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to PN. {Mr Northey} Mr. Hardy. R4/AHO.8.22. RE. STEERING (GENERAL) X.4264. X.3441. We can now sum this up better than heretofore. As you know, many combinations of steering are possible. Several special ones together may give satisfaction whilst another group may also give satisfaction from another point of view. For instance, irreversible steering as you are now testing it will not do with leaning pivots if combined with spring buffer or bent (elastic) longitudinal tube, but it may be right with vertical pivots or even with leaning pivots if combined with good geometry (radius rods) and straight rigid steering tube. I therefore want you to test these combinations. (1) The first is irreversible steering with vertical pivots and present combination, but the longitudinal tube having set-up springs giving ample pressure, and having ample clearance .5. In this case steering wobbles ought not to exist because the pivots are vertical (i.e., incorrect geometry). (2) The second combination would be irreversible steering, correct geometry with radius rod, and straight rigid steering tube, no buffers or other flexibility. This ought to be right with either vertical or leaning pivots but it may be better with the latter. (3) The idea of a straight rigid longitudinal tube combined with correct geometry and permitting of leaning pivots and irreversible steering is new to us because it should be a way of avoiding steering wobbles. contd:- | ||