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).
Hypoid rear axles and a comparative analysis of competitor brake systems, concluding with a recommendation to revise the current brake linkage.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 173\3\ img094 | |
| Date | 4th April 1934 | |
| -9- The Hypoid rear axle does not seem to have gained ground. The only firm of any consequence using it are Pacards and they have not been entirely free from trouble. They have experienced difficulties similar to our own with L.P. oil. The semi-floating type of rear axle seems to be gaining popularity, it is now used on the Cadillacs as well as the new La{L. A. Archer} Salle. Cadillacs have this year reverted to Hotchkiss drive. BRAKES. Two types of brake seem to cover the whole market, both using vacuum type servos where required. The Lockheed hydraulic type as used in England on the Morris, Sunbeam, etc., and the cable operated Bendix shoe, which latter system looks absurdly light and simple. It will be interesting to see if it will stand up to our driving on the Cadillac 16. The new La{L. A. Archer} Salle is equipped with hydraulic brakes. This is the first car of the Cadillac range to adopt them. This car weighs 4000 lbs. and the brakes appear to be satisfactory without a servo. They definitely use a larger cylinder on the front than on the rear, the proportion of braking theoretically being 56% and 44%. Pressed steel brake drums with centrifused iron liners are common practice. Also the light sheet steel shoes are universally employed. In view of their lightness and low cost, and also our own troubles with seized brakes, it would appear that we ought to give these shoes a thorough test out. The vacuum servo is employed so extensively and gives such satisfaction that here again we ought to have practical comparisons with our own device. A feature used on the Cadillac which might give us better access on the driving side of our cars is the cable operated hand brake, the lever being situated under the instrument panel. We have come to the conclusion that our whole brake linkage is unnecessarily costly and complicated, and is badly in need of revision. | ||