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).
Steering performance issues related to different types of tyres, specifically Goodyear and Dunlop.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 20\2\ Scan069 | |
| Date | 20th February 1926 | |
| Contd. -2- if the steering is held tightly. We have proved that this complaint is greatly exaggerated when Goodyear rubber non-skid covers are on the back wheels. If the standard Dunlop (x990) tyres are used, when one knows the complaint is there, one can still pick it out but it is nothing like so obvious. We have heard from the Driver of 2.EX Car in France that after he had changed one of the Goodyear for a steel studded tyre the steering of the car was different and quite satisfactory. We have also had another report from Mr. Parsons at Paris who was with Mr. Salamanca during some of his early tests on springing and steering on his latest car, he confirms that they found a distinct improvement when they took off the Goodyear rubber non-skid tyres and fitted ordinary Dunlops. X.3893. We also notice that the latest Goodyear non-skid tyres which we have received from America (straight sided ones) the diamond knobs on the tread are only about half the depth of those on the tyres we have been running. EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}, Hm{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}, and myself have tested a number of cars lately both Production Cars, and Repair Car very critically as regards steering. We found that there is quite a noticeable difference in cars of the same type as regards steering. We tested a repair car (No.2512.) and found that the steering on there was remarkably stable. It was fitted with Goodyear tyres the non-skid tread was practically worn flat. We took the rear springs off 2512 which were the many-leaved solid cantilever tyre and fitted them to 49-GB. The split springs off 49-GB we Contd. | ||