Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Penman]

hi
The question on the Morris board reminded me about the times when Lockheed and Girling claimed (endorsed by car makers in their handbooks) that only their fluid would work properly in their systems.

And then one of the companies had a strike and rather than lose car production one of the car makers (I think it was Vauxhall) bought some components from the other supplier and actuall sold cars with hybrid hydraulic systems. ie Griling Master cyl and Lockheed wheel cyl or viceversa.
It was not long after that when suddenly universal brake fluid made it's appearance.

Are there any other tales of this nature which you remember?
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[ukdave2002]

Hi Penman
There was a time in the pre (and probably early post) war era when in the early days of hydraulic brakes; brake manufacturers used their own rubber seal compounds and their fluid was designed for their own seals, using the “wrong” fluid could quite literally be disastrous.

Dave

[Penman]

Hi
So they must have standardised by the time of the mixed systems then, but they still weren't after telling customers.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[Jim.Walker]

The fleet of DR450 Daimlers we operated had as standard, Dunlop front discs, Lockheed servo and Girling rear discs. This is from memory, it could have had Girling servo and Lockheed back brakes, but I do not think so.
It all added up to the worst hydraulic braking system I have ever met. And that on cars of over 2 tons that would do a genuine 120 mph.
Hoping, with crossed fingers, that the brakes, especially the hand brake would pass the MOT even after attention was always stressful.
We did once have one run away on a Derbyshire hill with the handbrake hard on and the parking pawl engaged. It snapped the pawl off and careered backwards into a stone wall writing itself off. THe hand brake lever was still hard on.
Jim.
_________________
Quote from my late Dad:- You only need a woman and a car and you have all the problems you
are ever likely to want". Computers had not been invented then!

[peter scott]