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).
Causes of steering wobbles and comparing steering gear designs with competitors.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 28\4\ Scan062 | |
| Date | 19th September 1913 | |
| COPY. 226a (150 n) (XX. 279. 21.8.13) E.P. 4814. Handwritten: To F.{Mr Friese} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Copy for Mr. Day Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} 24913 Typed: R4/P.19.9.13. Re. Steering wobbles. X 457. From Mr Haldenby's experiments, we find practically no difference in the reversibility of our steering, compared with that of the Napier and Delaunay-Belleville. The reason for this seems to be that in these particular steering gears, there is no serious loss of efficiency by the oil film being squeezed out. This, however, does not seem to be the case with the old Daimler, and probably Mr Haldenby would find that the Mercedes if still available was rather similar to the Daimler. These steering gears where the film is squeezed out, and because the gear is irreversible it is, of course very much inclined to wear badly, which I think will be found to be the case. We must therefore, look for other explanations of the cause of steering wobbles, which has since been found to be the case, and I feel sure that when we avoid the backward inclination of the upper part of the steering pivot, we shall have no further complaints, and when we improve the steering gear as indicated, we shall have an irreproachable arrangement, far better than that of a large number of the best cars. In the meantime, I should like Mr Day to make any investigation he can to compare our steering gear with the Delaunay, which appears to be one of the best we have come in contact with. | ||