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).
Summary of the disadvantages of direct four-wheel braking compared to the existing layout, with notes on future testing.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\2\ scan0192 | |
| Date | 29th October 1934 | |
| -3- Hm{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}2/KW.29.10.34. To summarise, therefore, it will be seen that there are disadvantages in direct braking to four wheels over the present R.R. layout, but we think on a light fast car such as the Bentley the advantages may outweigh the demerits. It will require the 10,000 miles test in France to prove this point. We shall have to - (1) Adjust the brakes more frequently. (2) Become accustomed to a spongier feel of the brake pedal. (3) Exert a larger force to stop the car on a hill without servo assistance. On the other hand there will be freedom from thumps and high speed judder, and a more nearly constant proportion of front braking since variations in servo efficiency do not affect the result. It is significant that we can find no better layout for a car the size of the Phantom than that we are at present using. We will report later on whether the new axle control is beneficial as regards tramping. Nothing we have done so far has affected this trouble. Hm{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||