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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).
Causes of trouble with the 29/30 HP and Phantom III steering column.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 95\1\  scan0289
Date  24th April 1936
  
To BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} [BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} is struck through]
Copy to Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} [Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} is struck through]
RHO. Wx. [RHO. Wx. is struck through]
SFibr. [SFibr. is struck through]

[Handwritten]
x350
F.J.H. Are you satisfied with this?
Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
[Initialed] R

29/30 H.P. and Phantom III Steering Column.

We understand that trouble has been experienced due to the knurled nut on the top of the 29/30 H.P. steering column working loose.

This design, we understand, is to be used on the first 50 Phantom III and for several series on the 29/30 H.P.

The causes of the trouble in the particular instance, we understand, are due to the following conditions:-

1) An old type four spoke steering wheel was fitted to the chassis in question, at the request of Sales, and it was omitted to enlarge the chamber in the bottom of the wheel boss. This caused the wheel boss to drive the knurled cap nut by friction.

2) In the past we have not been interested in the very precise position of the wheel when pulled-up on the taper serrations of the steering worm tube. It is possible, we understand, that to pull this wheel on a somewhat indefinite amount due to the compressing of the aluminium splines in the wheel until the clearances on the tops and bottoms of the serrations have been taken up. We suggest that the dimensions be modified to allow .10" of pull-on similar to that which we have done on the steering pendulum lever.

3) We understand that it has been discovered that the worm or cam has not been accurately positioned relative to the steering worm tube. In the case of the 29/30 H.P. having a cam with timken bearings, the tube should be .175" short of the end of the cam, but in the case of the Phantom III having adamant bearings, the tube should protrude .031". If this dimension is not held within reasonable limits the clearance between the base of the wheel boss and the nut, which should be .10", is lost.
  
  


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