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 seizure issue and potential causes like lack of lubrication or incorrect fitting.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\5\ Scan057 | |
| Date | 21th May 1926 | |
| W/B Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} EP {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} 1/H21.5.26. re. 69-LC. Mr. Lewis. With reference to your Sg. {Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} /Ro. {C. C. Rose - Export Manager} 1/FP. {F. Potts} 18.5.26. attaching memo from R R. {Sir Henry Royce} Inc. dated May 5th. reference EWC-3/R2655. We return the correspondence herewith, having kept one of the copies. Although we have experienced trouble with steering developing stiff with use, in all our experience we have not had a similar case to this, and we can state emphatically that we have never found a steering box seize up on the parts described, unless the steering box has been run short of oil, or the steering column has been incorrectly fixed, causing a strain to be set up on these bearings. We do not gainsay the fact that the steering box was found to be filled up with lubricant when examined, but this is no guarantee that the box has not at some time been short of lubrication. Is it possible that the steering column has been changed, or that some faulty fitting of the steering column to dashboard has taken place whilst the body-work has been carried out. If R.R. Inc. are satisfied that the lubrication has been O.K. and the steering column has not been upset in any way since the chassis left the Works, then it would appear to be a question of the job being charged to Policy. We shall be glad, however, if R.R. Inc. can confirm these points, in view of the fact that we have not had any previous experience of this, also that our Investigation Dept. do not seem to be in sympathy with the fact that it is a weakness. It is our desire at all times to take advantage of such experience with a view to improving our testing, inspection, manufacture or design. It certainly seems strange that the chassis should have gone through its final tests before leaving the Works, also should go through final complet car test in America and then suddenly give trouble after being in the customer's hands for a short time. EP. {G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} | ||