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 discussing a brake squeak issue, likely caused by non-standard cycle type wings, and outlining potential solutions.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 89\2\ scan0081 | |
| Date | 5th February 1935 | |
| Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}8/E5.2.35 5th February 1935 Dear Mr.Fedden, Many thanks for your letter of the 4th, Ref: Engines F/ECH-2, enclosing copy of letter which you have written to Mr.Robotham at Derby. I received from him a report of the result of his visit and, dealing with brake squeaks I do not think I can do better than give you the following extract: 'There is no doubt that the brakes squeak very badly on his car. We know that because we have had the same trouble on our car fitted with cycle type wings. As an example of the eccentricities of this complaint, though we drove both cars round for about half an hour at Filton, we could reproduce the trouble on neither. We told Mr.Fedden that since cycle type wings were not a standard fitment we had not done any serious work to overcome the brake groans which they bring up. We pointed out that we should recommend that he changes back to the standard type wings. This he was very reluctant to do. In view of this we agreed to do a few tests on our own car with cycle type wings and let him know in a month's time whether we have found a cure. If not, then he will have the wings altered when the car goes in to have the coachwork attended to. To keep him going in comfort we showed him how to alleviate these brake groans temporarily by the application of powdered Graphite.' I am surprised to note that you met a man over the week-end who confirmed your views in regard to brake squeaking on the Bentley because, quite frankly, this is not a source of complaint on these cars, and I should very much like to have the name of the customer so that we may enquire further about it. | ||