Workshops can often forget the essentials when it comes to servicing of braking components, so this reminder from First Line should provide a timely jog to the memory.
The reliability of the braking system is fundamental to vehicle safety and therefore one of the key disciplines of the service and repair trade. As a result, workshops and technicians are very familiar with the components within the system. However, sometimes this familiarity can have a negative effect and lead to conscious thoughts about best practice when undertaking brake service or repair to slip from the mind. Therefore First Line, through its popular Borg & Beck brand, has put together the following reminders to ensure braking best practice is followed:
1. As the brakes are the vehicle’s most safety critical components, it is imperative that whenever a vehicle comes in for any work, the pads and discs are always checked for wear.
2. Before undertaking pad/shoe or disc/drum replacement, it is also important to check all the other components in the braking system for wear and tear.
3. Leaving dirt or residue on the contact surfaces can lead to additional problems, so take the time to clean them and the surrounding area.
4. When replacing the pads, always ensure that the correct anti-squeal lubricant is used to grease the contact points.
5. For maximum convenience for those fitting replacement pads and in order to do the best job for the vehicle owner, use an accessory fitting kit and replace the springs and washers at the same time. These components are in constant use so this is a sensible and cost-effective precautionary measure.
6. It should not need to be stated, but braking components – whether pads or shoes, drums or discs – must be replaced in pairs. Although once they’ve been installed braking components self-adjust and compensate for wear, it is simply bad practice to neglect the opposite component when working on the braking system.
7. In a similar vein, even if the pads still seem to have a comparatively large amount of friction material remaining, it is extremely important to replace them if the brake discs are being changed, not least because they are likely to have the profile of the old disc and will subject themselves and the new discs to the risk of uneven wear.
8. Quality products are important in all service and repair, but due to the safety critical nature of the braking system, workshops can’t afford to compromise on quality. They must therefore ensure that the products they fit conform to Reg 90 regulations, that the ackaging is undamaged and its tamper-proof seal is unbroken. If the product they receive from their supplier does not incorporate a tamper-proof element in the packaging, they should seriously question whether the product is used for any application.
The Borg & Beck range of brake system components conforms to all existing Reg 90 standards and provides workshops with a premium quality product under a familiar and trusted brand. The range now includes more than 4,000 part references and 600 accessory fitting kits.
