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).
Potential improvements and alternatives for the Phantom steering system.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 67\4\ scan0051 | |
| Date | 27th April 1926 | |
| Wor{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} C. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} +8430 BY6/H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} 27.4.26. PHANTOM STEERING. ------------------ 1. This information I take it you will have to hand alright. 2. This question is intended to mean replace old steering by new entirely. 3. Depends on 2. 4. Agreed. 5. We do not feel it is necessary to make the & improvement in the manner specified. There are 6. three other ways which would not be a serious issue. These alternatives are:- a/- Fit lighter springs in side steering tube. This is a practicable way of minimising trouble. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} agrees. It has of course its own minor objections but they are, in our opinion relatively unimportant. b/- There is a scheme for fitting an intermediate ratio of worm and nut of .850 lead, and this would mean new worm and nut, and possibly slightly weaker springs inside steering tube. c/- A combination of intermediate nut and worm with hydraulic shock damper, as Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} is of opinion that some of the violent "joggling" is due to "criss cross" motion of front axle. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} is writing as well on the subject. He is sending lighter springs for side steering tube to Hancock, for him to get in touch with Parsons, and wire confirmatory information of exact cause of complaint, which we believe is covered by above. 7. The hydraulic shock dampers may improve matters somewhat, but as the main trouble is not the result of high speed wobble, it is fairly certain that shock dampers of hydraulic type will not overcome kick-back due to pot holes and bad surface. The cost of new worm and nut is approximately the same as present type. There will of course be dismantling of column and re-building. Contd. | ||