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).
The fitting and road testing of a Burman steering gear on an Austin 8.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 124\4\ scan0038 | |
| Date | 2nd December 1941 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions} 1045 c. to Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GB. c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} Austin 8. Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions}2/JH.2.12.41. This car has now had the Burman steering gear fitted. When I tried it the tyres seemed on the hard side and no gauge was available to check this. In this condition the steering was very light indeed and there was only just sufficient self-centring action to return the wheels to straight ahead after a corner. With correct tyre pressures, and after a little bedding in this will probably be a very good steering. Lower tyre pressures would increase self centring effect and make the steering slightly heavier. The up and down geometry now seems very good and the steering generally is much better than it was. Mr. S. Burman of Burman & Sons stressed the point that this gear is fitted up to give the kind of steering they like. If there is any feature that we do not like they would like the chance of modifying it to bring it more into line with our ideas. We might bear this in mind if there are any features which are not generally liked. EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/DB.{Donald Bastow - Suspensions} | ||