Braking Technology

Increased safety with Bendix

TO ENSURE INCREASED SAFETY AND PEACE OF MIND FOR 4WD DRIVERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, THE LATEST BENDIX 4WD BRAKE UPGRADE KIT ENABLES OPTIMAL BRAKING PERFORMANCE.

While the original braking systems on a new 4WD vehicle from the showroom is more than adequate for the job, it can be a very different story once the vehicle is decked out with the wide range of accessories as the weight of the vehicle overall can be dramatically increased. “Consider the weight of accessories such as a canopy, storage draws, a winch, bullbar, driving lights, a fridge, second spare wheel, l arger fuel tank, second battery, roof rack etc., and it is easy to see why the braking system is under greatly increased pressure and safety becomes a real issue,” says Bendix Product Manager, Ian Campbell. ”Then there is an additional factor of the weight of a heavy caravan or outback trailer behind to consider.” Bendix has addressed this with the hugely successful Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade Kit which is providing drivers with improved stopping power in the most demanding emergency situations and general peace of mind with greatly reduced stopping distances overall. The comprehensive kit includes Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads with a specially compounded high performance ceramic material brake pads for increased stopping power plus the latest Bendix Ultimate Rotors designed and developed specifically for Australia’s demanding conditions. The new rotors are manufactured to the highest level of precision engineering based on OEM specifications and incorporate innovative technology such as high carbon metallurgy for increased braking performance plus special diamond tip slots and a special bi-directional pillar design to quickly and efficiently expel gases, water, dust and grit. Together this provides the driver with absolute control when braking in extreme conditions with instant response and even friction. Ultimate 4WD brake pads in the kit are manufactured from an advanced ceramic compound with the benefit of low dust and reduced noise whilst providing high temperature stability and excellent fade resistance. Mechanical Retention System technology as used in commercial brake pads is used in the manufacture of these pads for improved attachment strength for heavy duty operating conditions which are ideally matched to the slotted design of the rotors. “With an additional 15 new part numbers recently released, the Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade Kits cover most popular 4WD vehicles and dual cab utes providing additional safety for the driver and their families,” Ian says. Easy to fit braided brake hoses designed and manufactured in compliance with SAE J1401 specifications that won’t expand under pressure and have a strong protective sleeve are included in the kit and deliver a firm brake pedal. These are also kit options for vehicles where the height of the vehicle has been raised.

Contact Bendix Brake Advice Centre Ph: 1800 819 666 Email: brakeadvicecentre@bendix.xom.au Web: www.bendix.com.au

Arresting the shoe creep

ONE OF THE LONG-STANDING BUGBEARS OF HEAVY TRUCK AND TRAILER OPERATORS – THE DREADED SHOE CREEP – HAS BEEN EFFECTIVELY STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS BY THE INNOVATIVE TRU-SHU PRODUCT.

It’s the bane of many a truck operator, seeing up to 10mm, or even more, of the brake shoe on drum braked vehicles hanging out past the edge of the drum rim. This phenomenon has dangerous consequences as it causes reduced braking performance due to the reduction in contact area between the lining and drum. What’s worse is that it’s a self-generating issue. As the shoe rollers move out of line with the S-cam, more force is exerted on the inner side of the shoe, exacerbating the tapered lining wear which, in turn, reduces

Fast Fact

Australian trailer axle manufacturer TMC says the Tru-Shu system maintains the correct alignment of brake shoes which prevents them from ‘creeping’ out of the drum. The company claims this can significantly increase the life of the brake linings.

TMC offers the Tru-Shu device on its range of drum braked axles including 17.5”, 19.5” and 22.5” wheel sizes.

braking performance. Given this, it’s little wonder that roadside transport inspectors are quick to slap a defect notice on vehicles displaying shoe creep. Tru-Shu is widely used by TMC Australia, a manufacturer of special purpose trailer axles for the transport, mining and agricultural sectors. The business was founded in 2001 and has occupied the current workshop facility in Hallam, Victoria since 2004. The range of axles TMC produces includes disc and drum braked models for 17.5”, 19.5” and 22.5” wheels and because they are mostly locally built, they can be made to suit any application and at any required track length. In the majority of cases, the axles are supplied as a package with either leaf spring or airbag suspension. In the case of the air suspension offering, the company specialises in low-profile set-ups for 17.5” and 19.5” wheels with a fair amount of customisation for quad-axle combinations and to suit rear self-steering axles. Speaking about the Tru-Shu product, TMC Australia Operations Manager, Alex Law, explains that Tru-Shu is fitted directly onto the existing brake shoes, physically eliminating any opportunity for outward movement. “Tru-Shu keeps brake components including shoes, camshafts, rollers and return springs better aligned and eliminates the problem of brake shoes ‘walking’ out of the drums due to heat and expansion over time,” Alex says. “It facilitates even brake lining wear, which ensures longer service intervals and lower maintenance requirements, therefore reducing downtime. As a result, Alex explains, Tru-Shu equipped brakes retain optimum performance over their entire service life. The result for truck operators is increased brake component life and reduced brake defects, as the product prevents camshafts from hitting the drum in the event of a camshaft circlip or brake spring failure. Other benefits of Tru-Shu are that it keeps brake shoes in good condition for relining and prevents anchor pin ends from taking undue point loading due to brake shoe misalignment. In terms of which equipment can be fitted with the Tru-Shu brake shoe alignment system, Alex says the company tends to concentrate on special-purpose axles in the capacity range of nine to 20 tonnes, with the product often custom built to suit heavyduty, off-road and arduous applications. “Tru-Shu brake shoe alignment devices fit directly onto our existing brake shoes ‘Q’ or ‘P’ brake – with 420 x 180, 335 x 210 or 420 x 220 brake sizes,” Alex explains. “Because Tru-Shu brake shoe devices are designed and manufactured in Australia, parts and support are easily accessible, while the device allows for minimal parts to be used and ease of installation. “In various types of rugged terrains,

TMC works closely with ASET – the original inventor of Tru-Shu – to thoroughly test and develop new braking technology products.

whether to and from a mine site or in the outback, the Tru-Shu addition significantly enhances brake integrity and service life,” he says. “In fact, positive feedback we have received from fleets, service centres and end users suggests Tru-Shu saves transport operators thousands of dollars in replacement costs. “This product has the potential to significantly increase the service life of brake linings in most applications, including harsh outback terrain.” One company that swears by Tru-Shu is All Size Equipment Transport (ASET), a South Australian based company that specialises in the haulage of over-dimensional equipment and machinery, and was, in fact, the inventor of the Tru-Shu device. Since 2006 TMC has partnered with ASET in the development and testing of braking technology products. “We have been working with ASET for more than 14 years, says Alex. “The ASET transport operation uses many of our TMC 19.5” axles, mostly equipped with our nine-tonne LMV low-profile airbag suspension. The relationship is mutually beneficial. On several occasions we have co-operated with ASET on product design improvements, which were put on trial with ASET before we released them to the rest of the market.” Emphasising industry acceptance of the innovative system, Alex says TMC recently equipped a complete fleet involving 120 wheel ends with the Tru-Shu componentry. “The feedback has been most encouraging,” he concludes.

Contact Tru-Shu 565 North Bremer Road Hartley SA 5255 Ph: 0499878748 Web: www.tru-shu.com

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