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BRAKE
pads are often one of the most underestimated vehicle
parts, as they are normally purchased at a shop,
installed quickly, driven and forgotten. But when it
comes to aftermarket pads, they present a bit of a
challenge because they require a lot of bedding-in time
and higher operating temperatures.
Enter
Bendix’s brake pads. For some time they have garnered a
silent but increasingly large following in the
aftermarket arena due to their strong stopping power.
But this time, the company has two new products that are
designed to reduce fade and shorten stopping
distance—the Titanium Stripe-lined range of brake pads.
This
unique line of brake pads is lined with titanium, which
has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal
and highly resists corrosion. When applied onto brake
pads, the bedding-in process, which requires the owner
to make several hard stops from 70 to 120 kph in order
to make the pads adapt to the brake rotors and
calipers—is eliminated. Also, the use of the pads over
time leaves a special coating over the brake rotor,
extending rotor life, reducing rotor warping and
enhancing rotor cooling.
The
Titanium Stripe-lined range comes in two trims: the
General CT and Metal King Titanium (MKT). General CT is
recommended for general-purpose driving conditions, such
as city driving—since the material on the pads closely
matches the OE specs, delivering similar performance
attributes and pedal feel. On the other hand, the MKT
pads are suggested for heavy-duty driving, such as
constant highway driving, courier service and work truck
loads. This is because it has higher friction ratings
than most OE products and can maintain its performance
at higher temperatures, 400°C and above. “Crucial here
is the selection of the right formula by the brake
fitter, as he needs to question the customer on their
driving style to understand their braking requirements
and select the right pads for their vehicles,” said
Wilson Chua, president of All-Inclusive Sales Inc. (AIS
Inc.), official distributor of Bendix products in the
country.
AIS Inc.
claims that the Bendix pads are OE equipment in General
Motors (GM), Isuzu, Toyota, Ford and Honda vehicles
worldwide, and are compatible with aftermarket brake
systems such as Alcon and Brembo. Also, in recent tests
held at the Bridgestone proving grounds in Japan, Bendix
pads were proven to stop a Honda Jazz 1.5L VTEC (from
100 kph) 60 to 80 feet shorter than OE pads and 40 to 50
feet shorter than their biggest OE/aftermarket supplier
competition.
With the
Titanium Stripe range of brake pads, four wheelers all
over the country can brake like Bendix. |
