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).
Low-speed steering wobbles on the Phantom III, caused by friction loss in ball joints, and trials of a new Bakelite-based material.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 95\1\ scan0491 | |
| Date | 31th May 1938 | |
| [Redacted text] C. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} ------- 350 BY.3/C.31.5.38. F.J.H. PHANTOM 111. STEERING. We have been having, as you are aware, a number of complaints of low speed wobbles due to loss of friction on the ball joints. A considerable mileage has been done at Derby, using friction pads made of Continental Bakelite i.e. woven fabric impregnated with Bakelite resin, and in the result have found that we get between two and three times the life out of the ball pads made in this material than we did with phosphor bronze before co-efficient of friction falls to such an extent as to permit low speed wobbles to develop. In view of our experience I am supplying N. with 8 sets of parts to fit to customers cars where complaints of inadequate friction on the ball joints re-arise. There is no doubt but that the new material is a distinct advantage, but we would like to have experience of cars running in London with this material to see whether its advantages are as great as it would appear. By [Handwritten] BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} | ||