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).
Letter to Ferodo Ltd. explaining why their brake linings will not be fitted to the Wraith model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 140\4\ scan0146 | |
| Date | 22th December 1938 | |
| 1180 Experimental Dept. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}8/MH.{M. Huckerby} 22nd. December 1938. Messrs. Ferodo Ltd., CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH. For the attention of J.N.Longley, Esq. Dear Sirs, Brake Linings - Wraith. You have enquired whether we propose to fit Ferodo linings on Wraith. The answer is that at present we do not intend to do so, because:- (1) The present Wraith linings are as good as yours. (2) Your linings are twice as costly. The brake lining situation is so unsatisfactory that we do not propose to move until we know that we shall effect an improvement. There is only one trouble - squeak. We do not like this trial and error method of testing dozens of linings for thousands of miles on the road until we find one not quite so bad as the rest. We explained a year ago a method of testing for squeak in the Laboratory and we do not think any advance is likely to be made until linings are tested in this manner, before being handed to the customer for road testing. The rig you are now building has in the past 10 months become obsolete but the principle is still right. We decided that more "urge" was required in the develop-ment of the non-squeak lining and have successfully "sold" our idea to one of the biggest consumers of motor car brake linings - Automotive Products Ltd. They are going to get British Belting & Asbestos to do some work on the right lines. | ||