Bendix BA235 Pad Provides Lower-Cost Replacement Option for Air Disc Brakes
ELYRIA, Ohio – Jan. 28, 2019 – When it comes to aftermarket air disc brake (ADB) pad replacement – no matter where you are in a vehicle’s life cycle – quality, value, performance, and choice are critical. That’s why Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC (BSFB) is adding the new Bendix® BA235 air disc brake pad kit to its robust aftermarket portfolio.
The right selection for both truck/tractor and trailer ADB applications, the BA235 pad provides a lower-cost option for pad replacement while retaining the performance, warranty, and post-sales support expected of North America’s leader in commercial vehicle air disc brakes. The BA235 aftermarket kit – best suited for a second or third vehicle owner – is available through authorized Bendix® dealerships and aftermarket distributors starting January 2019.
As part of their expanded air disc brake pad portfolio, Bendix also offers the BX276 genuine OEM replacement pad. The long-life BX276 pad is suitable for all applications and provides more wearable volume and an improved wear rate. For severe duty brake applications such as refuse and school bus, Bendix offers the BX283 pad. All of these Bendix ADB pads meet FMVSS-121 requirements and the current EPA Copper-Free Brake Initiative requirements.
“Since we first introduced air disc brakes in 2005 to the North American commercial vehicle market with the Bendix® ADB22X™, the popularity of air disc brakes has grown annually – particularly over the last five years,” said Keith McComsey, BSFB director of marketing and customer solutions, Wheel-End. “At this point, there are a lot of air disc-braked trucks in the hands of second or even third owners, who may have completely different needs than the original buyer. And with more ADB-equipped vehicles hitting the road every day, we want to make sure we’re supporting all the needs of the air disc brake aftermarket.”
Continue to Protect Your High-Performance Brakes
“When Bendix says its aftermarket pad friction meets FMVSS-121 requirements, we mean it. We don’t cut corners to take cost out, specifically when it comes to safety. In today’s marketplace, we know vehicle operators have options when it comes to replacement pad choices for our ADB22X™ brake, but we urge owners to be wary of the reduced performance on a number of these aftermarket choices,” McComsey said. “Our testing shows that stopping distance performance can be severely impacted – adding up to 75 feet, or roughly the equivalent of five car lengths – when non-Bendix pads are used. While also increasing the potential for rear-end collisions due to extended stopping distance, inferior aftermarket pads may also increase the risk of vehicle roll-aways, since many of them do not meet the FMVSS-121 park-hold requirements. Some of these pads have significantly reduced capability, rating at only 40 percent of the requirement.”
When it comes to wear performance, Bendix ADB pads are designed to provide long pad and rotor life. The BA235 pad has good wear properties and provides consistent rotor wear while meeting Bendix’s rotor stress cracking requirements. McComsey noted that ongoing testing proved other aftermarket pads may claim long friction life, but this is often at the expense of the rotor, which may lead to stress cracking that requires costly rotor replacement, and may even place a vehicle out of service for CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) violations – or both.
When choosing ADB replacement pad kits, customers must also consider the hardware kit components (pad retention springs, retainer bars, etc.), which play an important role in the function and longevity of the overall ADB system. Some low-cost, all-fit aftermarket replacement kits include inferior hardware that poses a risk of failure, or these kits do not include all the necessary components for a complete pad replacement. In this instance, end users are expected to reuse key components that are often corroded or stressed from prior service. All Bendix replacement pad kits include a complete hardware set utilizing all OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) components for a complete replacement to protect your ADB system.
A Place for Aftermarket ADB Friction
“The more fleets and owner-operators discover the proven reliability and return on investment of air disc brake technology, the more important it becomes to help ensure these advantages are realized over the life of the brake, through multiple friction changes,” McComsey said. “No matter how long they’ve been on the road, safer trucks mean safer highways for everyone. Bendix shares a commitment to safety with our aftermarket partners, and it’s helping us to shape tomorrow’s transportation, together.”
A joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC, BSFB contributes to the full lineup of Bendix wheel-end safety solutions – including air disc and foundation drum brakes – from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky. BSFB delivers safety, reliability, and stopping power to fleets and owner-operators, strengthening return on investment and lowering total cost of ownership. BSFB solutions are backed by unparalleled post-sales support and part of an overall safety equation aimed at improving vehicle and highway safety across North America.
For more information about Bendix air disc brake pads, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE or visit www.foundationbrakes.com.
