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 from the American branch regarding front brake trouble on an English Phantom 61-RF.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 66\5\ scan0145 | |
| Date | 16th August 1928 | |
| Handwritten (top left): His Copy Handwritten (center): we have a copy Handwritten (center): will By Handwritten (center): I have replied Handwritten (top right): X8420 No 7B81628 Mr. Basil Johnson, ROLLS-ROYCE LTD., 14-15 Conduit St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} London W-1 ENGLAND. August 16th, 1928. RE: FRONT BRAKES ON ENGLISH PHANTOM 61-RF Att. Mr.R.W.H.Bailey ✓ Dear Sir, With reference to your memo of July 19th, BYZ/G18.7.28, written in reply to Mr.Olley's letter, OY2/R6.11.28, describing some trouble we have had with an English car, due to the front brake drum gripping the aluminum brake disc, we have handed your letter to the Service Department, and below is a copy of their reply. "Regarding the attached letter from England on front brakes, I do not think there is any need for further discussion unless we have some charges to bill back, which I hope to be able to avoid. I do think, however, it might be a good idea to go on record with England that the sort of pull to one side which they are referring to has nothing whatever to do with the violent snatch to one side which we are talking about and which is traceable directly to the dust-shield. I see they speak with equanimity of two or three instances of cars going off the road in England. I think that possibly if they went a little further they might find it was due to exactly the same cause as this one. It is so easy to apply a theory to a given condition when one has already persuaded oneself beyond doubt that it is the only theory that can be applied to the said condition". Our experience in this matter bears out their statement. We find the front brake drum is capable of distorting from .060 to .070, so that a clearance of .015 between the brake drum and the disc, would result in a considerable pressure being exerted on the aluminum. We have had several instances of this trouble occur on test cars before we increased the clearance as indicated in Mr.Olley's letter of June 20th, to which you refer in your letter of July 19th. Yours faithfully, Thos. Nadin. ROLLS-ROYCE OF AMERICA, INC. TN/B | ||