Braking Technology

Ensure ultimate safety from Bendix brake upgrade kits

THE HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPONENTS IN THE BENDIX ULTIMATE 4WD BRAKE UPGRADE KIT AND THE BENDIX ULTIMATE 4WD DRUM UPGRADE KIT ARE DESIGNED TO MEET AUSTRALIA’S DEMANDING CONDITIONS.

Many in the road transport industry rely on the functionality and performance of 4WD vehicles for a wide range of jobs. The versatility of a 4WD often leads to people using them as a personal or family vehicle away from work too. This means the vehicles can go through a range of different driving conditions and pressures, which increases the need for better performing braking systems. The Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade Kits from Bendix are designed to offer a comprehensive brake upgrade for many of the latest 4WD vehicles available in the market today. Built to withstand tough Aussie driving conditions, the Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade Kits feature advanced brake pads and rotors, braided lines and a range of ancillary items. The Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade Kit includes two Ultimate Brake Rotors, a set of Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads, a Vehicle Set Ultimate Brake Hose, 1L Heavy Duty Brake Fluid, a can of Bendix Cleanup, a tube of Ceramasil Brake Parts Lubricant, Bendix rotor wipes, and a 60L Icebox. The Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads are designed to meet Australia’s tough road conditions. They deliver increased stopping power right when the driver needs it. The highperformance brake pads use a specially compounded high-performance ceramic material that results in high temperature stability, excellent fade resistance, low noise and dust resistance. The Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads work best with slotted rotors and therefore deliver confident stopping in all driving conditions. The Mechanical Retention System (MRS) backing plate used in commercial vehicle brake pads delivers improved pad attachment strength for heavy duty operating conditions. The Ultimate 4WD Rotors included in the kit are manufactured to the highest level of precision engineering based on OEM specifications. The rotors are designed using innovative technology including high carbon metallurgy for increased braking performance plus special diamond tip slots and a special bi-directional pillar design that quickly and efficiently expel gases, water, dust and grit.

The advanced technology ensures the driver has absolute control when braking in extreme conditions with instant response and even friction. Meanwhile, the easy to fit braided Ultimate Brake Hose, which comes with a protective sleeve, is designed and manufactured in compliance with SAE J1401 specifications. Working together, all these highperformance components result in a firm brake pedal that does not over expand under pressure, ensures reduction in brake dust and braking noise, along with thermal stability in high temperatures and resistance to brake fade.

Brake drums also covered

For people who own dual cab four-wheeldrive utility vehicles, which typically run a rear drum brake configuration, Bendix offers the recently released ‘Ultimate 4WD Drum Upgrade Kits’ which are designed to complement the Ultimate disc brake kit. This kit contains two Ultimate 4WD Brake Drums, an Ultimate 4WD Brake Shoe Kit plus a can of Bendix Cleanup and Bendix Rotor Wipes. The advanced high carbon metallurgy drum increases brake performance and stopping power and has a protective ‘Swiftfit’ zinc coating making it ready to fit. The hub is coated with epoxy with corrosion inhibitors that will not regrade over time making it look attractive and very functional. The brake shoes in the kit are GG friction rated with higher friction capabilities than the OE parts, improving stopping performance overall especially with heavy loads. The black painted steel shoes also incorporate improved corrosion resistance and have superior strength and durability. Both kits are available for a wide range of models including Ranger, Colorado, D-Max, BT50, Triton, Hilux, Amarok and Nissan D40 / D23.

Contact

Bendix Ph: 1800 819 666 Web: www.bendix.com.au/product-range/ 4-wheel-drive

Australia’s Most Fuel Efficient Reefer Trailers

On the move with Knorr-Bremse TEBS

FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS COMMERCIAL BRAKE ENGINEERING HAS BEEN A TRUSTED SERVICE AGENT FOR LEADING EBS BRANDS, INCLUDING KNORR-BREMSE, FOR MANY YEARS. AS A MOBILE SERVICE PROVIDER CBE OFFERS EFFICIENT DIAGNOSIS AND INSTALLATION OF CORRECT SOFTWARE/INTERFACE FOR ANY TRUCK AND TRAILER SYSTEM IN THE SYDNEY METROPOLITAN AREA AND REGIONAL NEW SOUTH WALES.

Steve Smith, the owner of Commercial Brake Engineering (CBE), is an experienced engineer who is quite adept with truck and trailer electronics. As a mobile service provider, Steve can arrive at a client’s facility to provide remote support, using factory diagnostics including pneumatic testing using Vericom test equipment to ascertain application and release brake performance of basic pneumatic and foundation brake hardware. As a long-term service agent for many leading EBS brands, CBE specialises in diagnosis and service of air brake, suspension control and related electronic systems. CBE has a long history of association with Bendix Brake systems, and when KnorrBremse acquired the Bendix business, the continuing relationship naturally flowed on under the control of Knorr-Bremse Commercial Vehicle Systems. The addition of Knorr-Bremse products and service allows CBE to offer a more comprehensive suite of product support to the industry. Speaking of his business, Steve says, “One of our strongest advantages relates to industry longevity from single circuit air brake control systems to integration of early ABS systems for trucks, the eventual adaption of truck ABS to trailer use, the adaption of dual

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circuit brake systems and ECE13R Euro brake systems, and the trailer variants, including the various ADR system compliances. It is very handy to understand the evolution of air brakes when diagnosing problems.” Steve recommends owners and operators investigate their options with brake computer systems, and talk to vehicle suppliers, industry associates and brake component suppliers to understand their service software and application criteria before picking the model that works best for their specific needs. “Use of different component systems across a fleet reduces efficiency in diagnostics when repairs are needed,” he says. “Of utmost importance, use only genuine quality, or approved parts. Poor quality, or inferior performing components may reduce the overall system performance, especially in the event of an automated stability correction, or even reduce the optimisation of a basic brake event. Like other leading volume manufacturers, Knorr-Bremse, follows a very conservative and very thorough design and manufacturing process, which allows their customers to be extremely confident that the hardware and software will provide optimal braking in every instance.” The Knorr-Bremse platform has the advantage of controlling every facet of the ADR compliance process, information flow and direct product support. “Every manufacturer of trailer EBS systems offer unique functionalities with their products,” he says. “Knorr-Bremse now has the distinct advantage of a TCA approved and compliant telemetry package, which offers fleets a less complicated avenue with a smart level of integration. The Knorr-Bremse TEBS unit broadcasts a huge amount of data collected by the brake computer, without the need to overlay another system, and multiple connections. The system affords the fleet, driver and public a level of safety and braking confidence. This makes the technology vitally important, as the majority of road users have little or no understanding that a fully laden commercial vehicle combination does not exhibit the same braking or handling characteristics that they possess in a modern-day car.” Knorr-Bremse systems are also adaptable to multiple designs including low loaders, with or without extension and widening, custom and conventional trailers alike. “The staff at Knorr-Bremse in Australia has made a concerted effort to provide a great deal of support for OEM’s and fleets, and the TruckServices Service Partner network alike,” Steve says. “Product support for technology products in countries such as Australia and New Zealand can be certainly challenging, especially with the loss of experience in the vehicle repair business in recent years. The earlier resistance to advanced technologies in vehicle sub systems has made product support especially difficult. Also considering that brake systems have been so simple and reliable since WWII, the uptake of advanced braking technologies is a much more arduous process for the industry when compared to engines or gearbox electronic controls.” In recent times, Knorr-Bremse has been working tirelessly towards improvement in understanding and communication with both TruckServices Service Partners and fleets alike. This, in turn, helps its partners and fleets to develop confidence in owning Knorr-Bremse Technologies, with the knowledge that there is sound support if something goes wrong. “The brake business is often ‘down and dirty’,” Steve says. “And the sales and tech support staff at Knorr-Bremse understand this and are happy to deal with whatever may be needed to keep the vehicle functioning and on the road.”

Whether it’s trailer EBS, truck brake systems, reversing systems or new technologies, Steve Smith of Commercial Brake Engineering is your man.

Contact

Knorr-Bremse Australia Web: www.knorr-bremse.com.au Ph: 1300 309 991