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 squeaks on experimental cars with a lightened front axle and the decision to adopt dampers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 120\1\ scan0006 | |
| Date | 17th February 1927 | |
| To Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}2/LG17.2.27. With reference to Hyl/B2.2.27. attached. Squeaks were experienced on our first experimental cars fitted with the lightened type front axle. We appreciated early on that the mounting of the brake was less rigid than the previous type. Several schemes were tried to overcome squeaking by stiffening the anchorage. We did not obtain any satisfactory results. It was therefore decided to adopt the damper on the front brake drums. This was done although it meant alteration to the steering levers and also brake drums to fit it on. This was a very late alteration on the front wheel brake axle. Before Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} went to America we discussed with him the question of brake squeaks and handed to him drawings of the dampers which we are using on the standard production cars. Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} reports and EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} agrees that there has not been an instance of front wheel brake squeaks on production cars fitted with the lightened type axle. OY. would receive a completed copy of the standardisation sheet for the damper on the front brakes in the usual course. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||