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).
Safety issues with non-standard front wheel brakes and the unauthorized fitting of 4-wheel brakes by the repair department.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\S\September1928-October1928\ Scan080 | |
| Date | 21th September 1928 | |
| BJ. from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} R5/M21.9.28. X.1559 X.4456 X.9940 FRONT WHEEL BRAKES. OTHER THAN OUR STANDARD. Some firms are fitting 'Silver Ghost' with the above. We should be careful to have nothing to do with these because they are not done on a system we could approve, (as far as those we have seen - i.e. The Whitehead Cable Co.) and the detail design and workmanship we know very little about. one believes they are :- (1) Using the original flexible road springs with short pads, which would not maintain the pivots in the correct angle when the brake is applied, (result, dangerous steering). (2) They are very heavy in several large parts on the front axle, which should result in high speed steering wobbles at comparatively moderate high speeds, (unless highly inflated high pressure tyres were used.) (3) The connections are not such as we think safe - i.e. Bowden type wires, which are bent about by every motion of the stub axles (vertical and rotary.) (4) The servo system is a vacuum one, and is therefore not available if engine stops, say on a hill. I have accidentally learnt that our Derby Repair Dept. are fitting 4-wheel brakes to the earlier 3-speed cars. I do not say they are badly done, (because I do not know), or that it is not right to do so, but as Chief Engineer who carries the responsibility, such work should be firstly approved by Mr. Johnson, then submitted to the proper design dpt., and finally passed for production by Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} So that, although unintentional, it is a breach of discipline. The Repair Dept. should repair cars, and make suggestions only for such important alterations. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||