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).
Brake fade issues on test cars and arranging a comparative test run.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 82\1\ scan0246 | |
| Date | 5th October 1933 | |
| -2- Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/KT.5.10.33. the legs of which were 2 to 3 miles straights, which necessitated the use of the brakes continuously from maximum speeds. Under these conditions on two of our cars the brakes tended to fade out after a certain time, but on the car standing for a moment they recovered. On our own open car which we took down they did not show this tendency. We are almost certain from the feel of the pedal that the fault was with the brake shoes and not the servo. My own opinion is that the production people had not got their shoes very well bedded, and in consequence all the work was being done by high spots on the lining. These got overheated and consequently lost their c. of f.{Mr Friese} We should like to have your views on the subject. I am coming over to Paris for the Show on Monday the 9th, and will try and get a run down on the demonstration Bentley to Orleans, and get you to pick me up there so that I can get a short run on your car before I return, and at the same time compare it with the production effort under the same conditions. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||