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).
Conclusions from investigations into front spring anchorage and its effect on steering geometry.
| Identifier | Morton\M22\ img232 | |
| Date | 30th November 1922 | |
| ORIGINAL FRONT SPRING ANCHORAGE AT REAR (SHACKLES AT FRONT) GOSHAWK HERON SEAGULL TO DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} FROM R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to CU. c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to MR. ✓ (2) When we are able to dispense with elasticity in the steering connRE. STEERING.trol of the front wheels becomes much more definite, and we can also then adopt semi-irreversible steering, (by the use of plain thrusts) The following conclusions are the result of investigations up-to-date:- (1) As far as can be ascertained on bump test there is no difference in the life of the front road spring, whether it is anchored at the rear end or at the front end, and as regards Goshawk we shall have the experimental ones anchored at the back so as to improve the steering geometry. (2) In all future modifications to chassis we shall use every endeavour to get the geometry as perfect as possible by adopting the rear anchorage or the use of radius rods. (3) From these notes you will see what is required for the work in hand:- (1) Goshawk modifications. (2) Heron. (3) Seagull. A centre point steering should be maintained as near as ever possible, but with efficient reversible steering the road surface can still be felt by the lateral shocks which naturally take place on the tyres before and after the point of contact with the road. (4) That a slight amount of damping friction is required in the vertical pivots which can best be obtained by suitable thrust washers. The amount of damping friction will vary with different efficiencies of steering gear. (5) If the geometry of the steering is perfect, the buffers and other elasticity should be dispensed with in the longitudinal steering tube. (1) | ||