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).
Technical discussion on issues related to brakes, radiator, clutch, and springing systems.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5\3\ 03-page019 | |
| Date | 1st January 1921 | |
| Contd. (7) BRAKES. X.3603/5/6. X.3569. X.4257. The squealing of the brakes is the make-up in the Ferodo linings. Prove this by fitting material such as Raybestos without make-up, when the resinous substance is worn off the brakes are better, but just possible it depends on the bedding of the shoes. You will remember that the foot brake mechanism was not passed by me, and you now have a good scheme sent from here, which I hope you will find are free from faults. Do you think the clearance is O.K. in the West WitteringHenry Royce's home town scheme ? I notice our early drawings show the shafts much below the 45° line, nearer 65°. In chassis "Goshawk II" we are increasing the diameter of the brakes as the wheels have gone up in size, and we are now to carry an enclosed (landaulet) body to seat six people, so I have been obliged to put on larger brakes, as the load will be more, and the diameter of the wheels greater than originally intended. Details of the operating mechanism for "Goshawk II" brakes will leave West WitteringHenry Royce's home town in two days. There is slightly more of it than one would wish, so as to give clear-ance for the underslung springs. It saves work elsewhere, and gives a very convenient and simple means of adjustment on the back axle outside the drums. (8) RADIATOR AND WATER SYSTEM. X.3531. The radiator is naturally too effective in winter but will be ample with hot climate, and possibly the push rod will beat slightly more water. The engine you have is ideal in this respect. Re water connection - perhaps you are holding up radiator by water connection. It was intended that there should be a rod or tube between radiator and dash - see other new models. (9) CLUTCH. X.3525. Clutch jaggers are probably due to wrong mater-ials for the surfaces, but may be effected by irregular driving of bad back axle gears. (10) SPRINGING. X.3527. X.4262. You must expect bad springing with two stiff springs, except at high speeds, but even, then they would want severe damping. When you mention 4" do you mean + or - 2" or + and - 4". You would not expect any good from the former but the latter would be fair. We generally try for a spring deflection of 5" or 6" with 4" clear to the buffers. If you get this, then you will have to rely on shock dampers to perfect (as far as possible) the riding, but you will never get big heavy cars behaviour, though we should expect it to be better than any of the same weight and wheelbase, or we must make it so. "Goshawk II" is a little longer in the wheelbase, and the springs will have more friction than the cantilever. | ||