The Global Brake Safety Council (GBSC) is calling a recent update to the Friction Materials Standards Institute (FSMI) catalogue a “remarkable improvement in the advancement of brake pad safety for consumers.”
The update acknowledges the fact that certain vehicle applications were specified – by OE manufacturers – to have mechanical attachment between the street backing place and the friction material. FSMI the attachment is necessary due to specific application design for high-load applications where adhesive alone would lead to pad failure.
According to GBSC, “it is critical that this very vital information is finally being shared with the North American aftermarket brake pad manufacturers and suppliers that comply with the FMSI numbering system.
The council says the integrity of mechanical attachments for brake pads should be treated very seriously. “Removing the mechanical attachment feature will greatly compromise the structural integrity of the entire brake system, putting consumers in danger of brake failure,” a council bulletin states.
“This recognition by FMSI and industry wide awareness will help improve safety and quality of aftermarket brake pads across North America—a critical step forward for a vehicle’s most paramount safety item, its brakes.”
GBSC describes the mechanical attachment for brake pads as similar to rebars set in concrete.
“Just like rebar-reinforced concrete, you cannot see the attachment in a brake pad, but it is designed into the system by engineers and must not be removed by aftermarket pad manufacturers,” the safety council release states. “Removing the mechanical attachment feature will greatly compromise the structural integrity of the entire brake system.”
The 42 D-numbers identified by the FMSI represent approximately 100 Million cars, trucks and school buses on the road in North America, and the aftermarket – or replacement – brake pads for these vehicles should be manufactured with the OE specified mechanical attachment feature in order not to jeopardize safety.
Leave a Reply