News & Promotions

Bendix 4WD Brake Pads

Stopping Short of Trouble

Western 4WDriver upgrade their project Cruiser’s brakes with potentially life saving results.

Article featured in Western 4WDRIVER magazine issue #65 (2007 summer edition)

It’s not uncommon to see large 4WD’s lumbering along suburban streets, bound for far flung destinations and loaded to the hilt. Camping gear, fridges, fuel and water can see these vehicles grossing 3 tonne and more. Suspension is strained, drivability is altered and pulling up these cumbersome beasts is obviously far harder than when they’re unloaded. Modern aids like ABS go a long way to control and stabilize a vehicle under braking but regardless, the stopping distance for such a heavy vehicle, especially in city traffic, may not be sufficient to avoid ploughing into an unfortunate fellow road user.

Following Ray Cully’s dissertation on brakes in our last issue, we took a closer look at the Western 4WDriver project LandCruiser Cab Chassis, noted its 3.28 tonne weight (with just one tank of fuel and no water on board) and decided to see what a brake upgrade could do to improve its stopping power. 

At 17,000km, the original disc brakes were in pretty good nick but never really tested since the canopy and other extras were added, (including larger diameter tyres) so first stop was the AHG Training track at Perth airport for some test stops. The high quality blacktop track was dry for the test and stops were conducted at 60, 80 and 100 km/h.

Given the weight of the vehicle, the results were not surprising. At 60 km/h the stopping distance was over three times the length of the vehicle with no lock-up. This is a good indication that at 60 km/h in traffic I should be travelling at least four vehicle lengths from the vehicle in front. At 80 km/h the stopping distance almost doubled and at 100 km/h it was tripled. Sobering statistics that tailgaters need etched into their brains.

With these test results recorded it was off down to Melville Mufflers and Brakes for the upgrade. The major components to change were the rotors and our choice was DBA. Their slotted rotors enjoy a rock solid reputation and have proven themselves in two other Western 4WDriver project vehicles over the years.

For the pads, we chose Bendix 4WD pads. Bendix have been around a long time and their 4WD pads are proven to operate at higher temperatures (up to 100°C more than standard pads), reducing fade resistance. The front pads are grooved to help expel water, dust and dirt, extending the life of the pad and rotor and Bendix have incorporated a titanium stripe which they say provides 100% friction from installation.

Sam, Manager of Melville Mufflers and Brakes and resident brake specialist, further recommended we replace the rubber brake hoses with stiffer braided hose. The reason being, the OE rubber hose tends to pulse under braking and this pulsing represents a loss of energy flowing through to the brake application. With the new system installed we gave the brakes a week to bed in (and noted in the process, a softer pedal) then headed back to the track to compare the results.

What an improvement!

At 60km/h, stopping distance was reduced by almost a full vehicle length.

At 80 km/h, stopping distance was reduced by 2.8m and at 100 km/h it was reduced by 3.3m. As with the original test, there was no locking up – understandable given the weight of the vehicle. In looking at these figures it’s important to appreciate that the testing was “seat of the pants” and therefore reasonably subjective. Whilst vehicle weight and peculiarities like tyre size and weight distribution were constant, reaction times when hitting the brakes at different speeds could have varied up to two metres, particularly at the higher speeds, not to mention the possibility of pads glazing up towards the end of a heavy braking session.

Nevertheless, the upgrades demonstrated a considerable improvement in braking efficiency, especially at the all important 60 km/hr mark when we would generally be travelling in denser city traffic where the potential for an emergency stop is greater. In our opinion, even a metre less could save a life and this upgrade of DBA slotted rotors, Bendix 4WD pads and braided hoses is the ideal combination to pull up our big 4WD with confidence.

Well worth the spend.

Note: The tests were conducted independently by Western 4WDriver magazine.
Images courtesy of WESTERN 4WDRIVER
www.western4wdriver.com.au