Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC introduced a new, higher performing version of its Extended Service drum brake (ES Brakes) developed to meet the new federal stopping distance requirements mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
New higher performing versions of the company’s Single Anchor Pin, ES Extended Service drum brakes will be available in a variety of sizes for steer axle applications. The new brakes will phased into production and will be fully launched by Aug. 1, 2011, the initial implementation date for the new stopping distance regulations.
“We developed our new high-performance drum brake to give customers the best possible option for complying with the NHTSA requirements, as well as economical cost of ownership,” says Gary Ganaway, director for the foundation brake group and marketing at Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake. “While meeting the requirements for compliance, this new brake technology also will help improve vehicle safety, which is our core commitment at Bendix. We believe customers will find the high-performance models to be worthy additions to the Extended Service drum brake product line, which offers best-in-class performance.”
The new brakes are engineered to develop the increased torque necessary for shorter stops. In addition, they sustain that torque, which reduces brake fade and allows shorter stops. They achieve this performance through three enhancements. One is the use of bronze bushings, which offer greater durability compared with plastic bushings and tightened tolerances within the brake. Bronze bushings, optional on the existing ES drum brake models, will become standard on the High-Performance ES.
A second enhancement is the use of precision cams, like bronze bushings an improvement of the brake’s geometry. Precision cams help reduce variation and improve overall braking performance.
Lastly, the High-Performance ES drum brakes employ new state-of-the-art lining materials. Existing ES brakes already offer the most wearable lining volume in the industry, a benefit of the Single Anchor Pin design.
Along with the new enhancements, the High-Performance ES brakes will include other features currently in all ES brakes. Among these features are an improved paint process the company calls E-Coat2, a patented hot-staked shoe manufacturing process for improved quality and better fatigue life and the most wearable lining volume in the industry. E-Coat2 is a significant improvement to the existing electro-deposition paint process and provides the very best protection against corrosion and rust jacking available. It is the same state-of-the-art technology used to paint automotive body panels.
“We carried forward all of the great features in our Single Anchor Pin brake design and made them better; as a result, the new HP ES is a welcomed addition to the Extended Service product family,” Ganaway said. “Regardless of the application, duty cycle, or customer need, we are well positioned to deliver the right brake solution — be it drum, disc, or a combination of the two.”
