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 from New-Hudson Ltd to Rolls Royce regarding brake performance issues and suggested improvements.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 120\3\ scan0165 | |
| Date | 18th April 1935 | |
| GRY{Shadwell Grylls} TELEGRAMS: WONDER, BIRMINGHAM TELEPHONE: CENTRAL 0321 (6 LINES) CODES: A.B.C. 5TH EDN. BENTLEYS REGISTERED TRADE MARK CONTRACTORS TO H.M. GOVERNMENT WAR OFFICE, G.P.O., COLONIAL AND FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS NEW-HUDSON LTD PROPRIETORS OF ST GEORGE'S ENGINEERING WORKS. OUR REF AF/AL. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AFM{Anthony F. Martindale}/9/KW. Icknield Street BIRMINGHAM·18 18th April 1935. Sole Manufacturers of THE GIRLING UNIVERSAL BRAKE. Messrs. Rolls Royce Ltd., DERBY. Dear Sirs, With reference to your letter of the 13th inst., we are immediately putting in hand a front drum as requested. This, of course, has to be turned out of the solid. We are surprised that you get excessive sponge as the whole of the job, Brakes, linkage, and drums are very rigid, and can only surmise that the shoe travel is limited in some way. We should be glad if you will verify this, and suggest the following quick method. Completely jack up car and remove wheels and drums, to enable the shoes to move freely and the expander cone to be seen. With the full travel of the Brake Pedal (off position to floorboards) all expander cones should move inwards 5/8". This is absolutely necessary. For your information the ratio of the levers on the front axle and also the balance levers on the rear axle is 2.5 to 1 approximately. The rods connected to them must therefore move 1 9/16" for the full travel of the Brake Pedal. With regard to fading due to heat, let us admit at once that we underestimated the speed of your car and the stringent tests you carry out. Were we to do this job again, we should employ 2" wide linings and greater cooling area. Assuring you of our best attention at all times. Yours faithfully, for NEW HUDSON LTD., [Illegible Signature] WORKS MANAGER. | ||