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 operation, spring stiffness, and steering control for the 40/50 HP model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 73\2\ scan0146 | |
| Date | 12th December 1923 guessed | |
| contd:- -2- The Hispano brake operation is delightful. The brakes are operated with very light pressure and because of this it is possible to judge the braking effort very nicely. One can arrive at the maximum braking which is just before the point of skidding. The only disadvantage we know on the Hispano, is that the car is fitted with stiff front springs, and the riding of the car suffers in consequence. It is intended that the 40/50 shall have 25% stronger front springs. Our opinion is that this will be found to be a disadvantage in the case of a town carriage. If there is no disadvantage it means that we have been entirely wrong in the past as regards springing. An early proposition by RG.{Mr Rowledge} was to use a torque arm for the front axle. This would enable flexible springs to be used and still retain the present turning circles and would make it impossible for the brakes to affect the steering. One reason why we cannot have effective front brakes on the front of the 40/50 HP. is that when the brakes are applied the axle pivots are twisted forward - when this occurs, if the steering is turned it is liable to run away and [strikethrough] for the driver to lose control. The arrangement of brakes to be used on the 40/50 HP. only allows for the rear brakes to operate when the car is going forward, when the car is going backwards we have to rely entirely on the front for any foot braking. Because of the fact that we rely on foot pressure only to apply the front brakes we must use considerable pressure, therefore we shall not get the same light operation or 'feel' in the brake contd:- | ||