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).
Modifications required to fit front wheel brakes on the 40/50 chassis, comparing pneumatic and mechanical servo systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 73\2\ scan0014 | |
| Date | 12th December 1922 | |
| X9940 Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}1/LG1.12.22. 40/50 FRONT WHEEL BRAKES. When I was in London yesterday, C.J. and B.J. raised the question of front wheel brakes for existing cars. They asked me to report on what modifications would be necessary to the present 40/50 chassis in order to fit front wheel brakes. The position, as we know it experimentally, is as follows :- We are receiving instructions for the front wheel brakes pneumatically operated. In order to fit these brakes on the existing 40/50 cars, would mean the following alterations: 1. New frame. 2. New front axle. 3. All new steering connections up to the pendulum lever. 4. All new brake operating mechanism throughout. 5. Extensive alterations to engine gears, slipper drive and engine gear case. 6. New exhaust system entirely. 7. Addition of the air pump, reservoir and all the pneumatic control appartus. 8. Modifications to the present rear brakes and leaving out of the present side brakes. 9. Alteration to axle torque tube to allow for longer frame. 10. Alteration to crankcase casting. It is not anticipated that the pneumatic control brakes will ever be sufficiently simple and reliable for standard production and consequently a lot of the design work especially as regards the air pump, can only be looked upon as temporary. As regards the front wheel brake arrangement with the mechanical Servo system, which we anticipate is the most likely scheme for us to adopt, it will mean the following alterations to an existing car in order to incorporate it. 1. New frame. 2. New front axle and all steering connections up to the pendulum lever. 3. Addition of radius rods and new dumb irons. 4. Entirely new gear box having three speeds, central brake and change speed levers. 5. Entirely new clutch and engine coupling. 6. Entirely new arrangement of starter motor, switches etc. 7. Entirely new exhaust system. 8. Entirely new brake operating mechanism and equalisers. 9. New engine feet. 10. Longer torque tube. contd:- | ||