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).
Letter regarding ill-fitting cross steering tubes and requesting new parts.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\4\ Scan048 | |
| Date | 7th July 1919 | |
| COPY. 344 Madrid. July 7th. 1919. X.27 MR. W. PARSONS c/p AUTOMOBILES ROLLS ROYCE, PARIS. Dear Sir, As I duly informed you by post-card, a supply of 10 cross steering tubes are now to hand. I must point out that on most of these tubes the caps do not fit sufficiently tight, which compels me to make new tapered bushes. Also out of ten I could not find one nearer than 3/16" to fit on Mr. de Salamanca's car, and same applies to chassis 2015 which I have now to hand and on which I am modifying old tube- But I find that ball ends and contact pieces are, in some instances, very badly worn. Consequently to make a sound job one ought really to re-place such parts when modifying old tubes. Of course I cannot use ball ends of new tubes, for they are larger. Perhaps you could arrange for a supply of ball ends and contact pieces of old type sent to me urgently. I expect to experience great difficulty and loss of time when I shall have to carry this job out of Madrid, for I cannot expect to find lathe and other appliances at the customers' places and if out of ten tubes I could not find one to fit, it means travelling with a stock of 30 or 40 to fit several cars. Moreover our labels attached to the new tubes, measurements and other useful indications are written in pencil in Derby, and when parts arrive here such indications are unintelligible, which compels me to dismantle and measure the centres on several tubes before selecting the one suiting type and measurements required. I must inform you that, considering the delay with which tubes came from Derby, Mr. de Salamanca wired direct to Derby for a further supply of 40 to be sent at once. I am for the time being fitting what cars I can get hold of in Madrid and ought to proceed afterwards to San Sebastian and Santander where most of the cars will gather during the Summer. But I shall not be able to move before receiving a considerable supply of new tubes, and hope to hear from you on the subject. I have written a somehow lengthy report so that you can grasp the position of the job out here. Also because I am anxious to get on with this job, but as I am fixed I cannot do so satisfactorily. Yours faithfully, (Sgd.) Lauro. | ||