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).
Modifications to the steering column, and front and rear shock dampers.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\W\May1931-August1931\ Scan098 | |
| Date | 20th April 1931 | |
| -7- STEERING COLUMN & BOX to LOP.F.80784 ("E" Type). Rubber Sheet .125 thick to steering box to isolate from frame to drg. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}332 - using Bracket Ex.6142 (RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/WSC{W. S. Cassel}4/LS.20.4.31.) The steering became very bad for joggles during the mileage. We tested the load of the front dampers, but these were up to the poundage, we therefore did not alter them. The cross steering tube load had dropped. This was made to standard loading. The improvement to the steering was very little after these adjustments. We procured two new silent tread tyres and two buttress tread tyres. With the fitting of the buttress tread tyres to the front wheels, the steering became equal to any good standard both for absence of joggles and stability. We then tried the silent tread tyres. The results were not so good by 15%. We again tried the worn out tyres and at high speeds, 70 MPH, the steering was almost impossible to hold for joggles. One new tyre and one old made the steering worse. We have since fitted a new steering column as a knock developed in the original one. With the exception that the stability is approx 5 to 10% better, it has not altered any other characteristics. The steering is still considered to be equal to standard. FRONT SHOCK DAMPERS to LOP.F.82446. (1) Filler Tube modified to F.83036 giving Oil Level of .500 in place of 1.000 (2) Air Vent drilled in side of Tube, also in Filler Plug. (3) Air Vent Filters fitted. (4) One hole .038 dia. drilled in each H.P. Valve. Loads set - H.P.110 lbs. L.P.110 lbs. As reported elsewhere the poundage has remained consistent. We have had considerable trouble with the damper levers working loose on the serrations. It became necessary to file the levers to give clearance for tightening up. The male portion of the serrated shaft now protrudes approx. .0625" through the lever, washers have had to be made to allow for this. They have stayed firm for the last 2,000 miles. There has been very little loss of oil and the mechanism has given no trouble. The .038 holes in the high pressure valves were deleted. REAR SHOCK DAMPERS to LOP.F.83611. New to Arrgt.Drg. F.83611 (Split Piston Type) | ||