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 tests in Paris focusing on reducing shocks and high-speed wobble with new springs and hydraulic dampers.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\O\2April1926-June1926\ Scan138 | |
| Date | 19th May 1926 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c.c. to BJ. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c.c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} EY. c.c. to FN. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} ORIGINAL. STEERING. X8430 X235 X8450 We attach herewith report from GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} of tests carried out at Paris in conjunction with Mr. Parsons of the Paris Depot. The results of the tests show that under the average road conditions in France, by alteration to the side steering tube springs, the shocks felt on the steering wheel can be reduced 50%. If however one drives at high speeds over exceptionally bad French roads, there are still dangerous shocks. This, we imagine, is due to all the movement on the side steering tube springs being taken up. Tests were also made out there with hydraulic dampers. The tests confirm that the dampers eliminate the tendency for high speed wobbles. It frequently happens that although a car does not develop into the high speed wobble, there is a definite oscillation on the wheel at the critical speed. The hydraulic dampers remove this fault altogether. As a result of the tests in France, Fs.{F. Steele} asked that 6 sets of the weaker springs should be sent to Paris immediately, and if possible 4 sets of hydraulic dampers. He thought that if they had these they could deal satisfactorily with most of the complaints. Although they feel strongly about an extra stay on the steering column. The weaker springs in the side steering tube have been run 10,000 miles. The weak steering tube springs contd :- | ||