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).
Investigations into the causes and temporary cures for brake squeaks.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\3\ Scan014 | |
| Date | 24th January 1931 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} X 4117 Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/WT/2/MW24.1.31. re QUARTERLY COMPLAINTS - BRAKE SQUEAKS. During the past two months we have carried on investigations along similar lines to those previously adopted, that is, to determine the precise effect on brake squeaks of various adjustments, limits, clearances and bedding etc., of the existing brake mechanism, rather than to depart from the existing design in an effort to produce another anti-squeaking device, which, so far as past experience goes, are usually only temporary cures. One of the biggest difficulties we have had to contend with is the fact that we cannot keep a car for a sufficient length of time fully to observe the results of our various modifications, but in spite of this we have been able to satisfy ourselves on a number of points about which there existed a good deal of doubt. Our investigations have in general been confined to the following: (a) The effect of bad fitting work and excessive clear-ances etc. (b) Bedding and general condition of the liners. (c) The material of the liners. (d) Damping of the brake drums. In connection with (a), whenever we have had a good case of brake squeaks our object has been to try and make the squeaks better or worse by making some adjustment or mal-adjustment and noting its precise effect on the complaint in the hope that it would eventually explain ex-actly why the squeak existed. Our investigations along these lines have shown that while it has been possible in many cases to effect at least a temporary cure, or perhaps on the other hand to make the squeak definitely worse, it is impossible to say that any particular feature in the way of excessive or insufficient clearance, or possibly some mal-adjustment, is directly responsible for the squeak. CONT'D.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||