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 to Ferodo Ltd. regarding complaints about brake linings.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 140\4\ scan0197 | |
| Date | 22th March 1938 | |
| 118D March 22nd.1938 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}4/AP. Messrs Ferodo Ltd., CHAPEL-EN-LE-FRITH. For the attention of J.N.Longley Esq. Dear Sirs, BRAKE LININGS - COMPLAINTS. Brake complaints seem to come round in cycles, and for the moment squeaks are not so prevalent as they were a short time ago. This is largely due to the use of B.Z. lining, for which you charge us slightly more than for your standard materials. We have two complaints that we have not previously encountered, both due to brake linings. We think you might be interested. The first is the distillation of the bonding materials out of the linings, and the deposition of same on to the drum in patches. This causes a rumbling noise, and sometimes a violent shudder all through the car, when the brakes are used. We have cracked two drums through this. The remedy from a design point of view is wider drums: but seeing that we get the trouble on Phantom III with its huge 16" dia. drums, and wide shoes (M.L. lining) obviously redesign cannot help us very much. The Ph.III. drums do not get very hot. The second is a servo complaint. At low speeds the metal face slips over the V.M.30 in a series of jerks, instead of smoothly; and on releasing the brakes the same thing occurs. The complaint take the form of a grunt as the car comes to rest. We find that if we clean out all the dust we improve matters, but we are going to use a Halo lining for the time being. The '/u' speed factor is important here. We should be interested in your comments on these complaints Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LIMITED. | ||