Textar: compatible parts cut risk of disc cracking
TMD Friction’s premium brake brand, Textar, has warned that the incompatibility of commercial vehicle brake pads and brake discs can cause hairline cracks after only a few hard brake applications, following extensive research.
“Today’s customers expect quality when it comes to commercial vehicle (CV) brakes – especially where traffic safety and the long service life of pads and discs are concerned,” said the company.
“Unlike original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), which have understood the importance of precisely matching brake pads and brake discs for some time now, this is not yet the case in the automotive aftermarket.
“However, TMD Friction has now proven – in new tests with its brand Textar – exactly why it is so important to this market.”
During a benchmark exercise, truck brake discs and pads from various manufacturers were tested to see if parts that did not match were found to be less effective than compatible parts from the same manufacturer.
The results showed that if the brake pad and disc did not match, and therefore were not compatible to the best possible extent, the first hairline cracks in the brake disc could start to form after just a few hard braking applications and become deeper with each subsequent braking application.
Incompatible pads and discs were shown to not only influence the safety of the vehicle but also increase wear on the brake pads, says Textar, meaning the brake pad needs to be replaced earlier than otherwise necessary – especially on the rear axle.
Textar says it hopes the test results will help to convince the spare parts market of the importance of precisely matching pads and discs as already recognised by OEMs.
Scott Irwin MIMI, head of technical training at TMD Friction UK, said: “Cracks in the brake disc act like a plane on the brake pad. The cracks remove the friction material from the brake pad and will need to be replaced earlier than otherwise required as a result.”
To avoid the premature and expensive replacement of brake pads and discs in trucks, especially on the rear axle, Textar recommends always ensuring a perfectly matched combination of brake pads and brake discs are fitted, as well as regularly checking the brake discs for cracks. If these steps are taken, it says, vehicle downtime can be prevented.
“The good news is, technicians can protect customers from a premature and costly replacement of brake pads and discs, as well as vehicle downtime,” Irwin continued.
“All they need to do is advise them to choose a combination of precisely matched brake pads and discs, while suggesting regular checks for brake disc cracking.”
Textar considers the behaviour of the disc cracks early in the material development of the brake pads, as well as other factors such as brake noises, overheating and continuous operation behaviour.
Customers can be assured of high-end braking quality with Textar products, the brand says, with each new part going through extensive testing and quality assurance over a three-year development cycle before being released. Knowledge gained from its original equipment development is cascaded to its aftermarket product lines.
Cited benefits of the product range include superior casting and complete surface coating to ensure high performance, optimum safety and a long service life.
Technicians and workshops can find out more about the latest TMD Friction UK products online via the Textar Brakebook online catalogue at the URL below.
Customers can also use the Textar Brakebook app to view Textar’s product range on-the-go.
