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).
Tests on hydraulic shock dampers for steering on a lighter axle, comparing load requirements for British and Continental conditions.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\P\October1926-November1926\ Scan047 | |
| Date | 8th October 1926 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wm. c. to BJ. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} ✓ c. to RG.{Mr Rowledge} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} ✓ c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} ✓ ORIGINAL Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}2/L.08.10.26. X235 X8430 STEERING HYDRAULIC SHOCK DAMPERS - LIGHTER AXLE. [The word 'SHOCK' is struck through] We have conducted a number of tests with the hydraulic shock dampers fitted up between the cross steering tube and front axle as described in our last memo. We find that for British conditions a load of 30 lbs. on the ball end gives a very satisfactory steering. This, when the front wheels are jacked up and the standard side steering tube is fitted, gives a load of approximately 3 lbs. at the periphery of the steering wheel and entirely eliminates low speed wobbles. We feel that for Continental conditions where the chance of experiencing severe road shocks or high speed wobbles are very much greater than in Britain, a minimum load of 40 lbs. would be desirable. We can detect very little difference between friction when applied by a hydraulic damper and when applied by loading the cross steering tube ball ends. Our general impression is, however, that the load on the steering wheel is more constant with the fluid damping. At present we are running a damper with 40 lbs. load on the ball end, but this with balloon tyres at 35 lbs/sq.in. makes the steering a trifle heavy for shunting and negotiating the tortuous roads of this district. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/W.A.Robotham. | ||