Delphi Technologies tackles LCV braking issues
Delphi Technologies has detailed some of the benefits of its range of aftermarket brake discs and pads for the light commercial vehicle (LCV) sector.
Being an OE supplier enables the company to be first to market for a wide range of aftermarket brake discs and pads, it says, meaning operators of the latest van models can access OE quality replacement parts without being tied to the vehicle manufacturer, potentially saving time and money. It has recently added 12 more first-to-market vehicle applications, the most recent addition being the new VW Transporter.
The accelerated speed to market does not compromise quality, Delphi Technologies contends. For example, its pads feature 100 per cent in-house friction manufacturing which it says has been rigorously tested against competitor materials and shown to match the OE part completely in terms of quality, performance, and durability.
The company has increased availability of OE-specification coated discs for a wide array of vans, which work to enhance durability and longevity by combating corrosion.
It is winter where these discs offer the most benefit, it says, as the colder months can be a harsh time for vehicles and a busy season for workshops; temperature extremes and high levels of moisture, road dirt and salt can all accelerate the wear of brake system components.
Replacing the brake discs on vans suffering from salt corrosion can be difficult and time-consuming, especially where corrosion has set in between the disc and the hub, says the company. If the replacement disc is plain iron, it will be supplied with an oiled coating as a preservative, necessitating additional time cleaning off the oil residue thoroughly to allow the brake to operate properly.
Julian Goulding, Northern Europe marketing manager at Delphi Technologies Aftermarket, says coated discs can overcome all these issues, while also saving workshop time in the process and getting LCVs back out on the road.
“Our anti-corrosion Geomet coating is applied to the entire surface of the disc, including the mounting bore, and they are also oil-free, so can be fitted straight out of the box,” he said.
“All technicians need to do is unpack the discs and install.
“The advantages of coated discs are obvious, but it’s vital for operators to choose the best available as otherwise the benefits are diluted. The first step up from unprotected cast iron is a painted finish which looks fine initially but rapidly deteriorates in service.
“The next step is a partially coated disc. These offer some protection but contaminants, especially salt, eat away at the edges of the coating on the unprotected surfaces, leading to corrosion. Because we coat the entire disc, everything is protected including the top hat, outer rim, mounting bore, internal veins and friction surfaces.”
The Geomet coating applied by Delphi Technologies is an environmentally friendly high-performance zinc flake and water-based finish with a characteristic silver appearance, applied in a thin but highly consistent layer.
Independent test results from salt spray corrosion resistance tests have shown how effective Geomet is, compared to other finishes, says the firm. Its coated disc for a popular application was tested against its OE equivalent and five premium aftermarket brands. After only 24 hours, the OE plain disc and a premium black painted disc had suffered complete corrosion and were withdrawn from the test.
By the end of the test, at 720 hours, the Delphi Technologies disc was still less corroded than both the OE and the black painted equivalent had been at just 24 hours, the company reports, despite having endured some 700 hours of additional intense salt spray exposure – the equivalent of many, many more hours in real-world driving conditions.
By resisting corrosion for much longer than other products, Geomet coated discs are said to be more capable of maintaining full braking performance between routine inspections, keeping drivers safer and keeping fleets where they belong, out on the road.
Many of Delphi Technologies’ coated discs also include additional features, such as high carbon content, cross-drilling, directional veins, and fixing screws, as per the OE equivalent. The range consists of more than 1,700 parts, covering 92 per cent of the European vehicle parc and come complete with all fittings and accessories.
Goulding concluded: “The key to minimising brake servicing time is fast fitting to OE standards, with no subsequent issues requiring attention before the next routine inspection. Products like our Geomet coated discs and OE spec pads enable workshops to complete the job quickly and safely using highly durable, quality parts.”
