The Performance Review Institute – an affiliate of the Society of Automotive
Engineers – compliles a list of aftermarket brake linings that meet the brake
dynamometer requirements specified in FMVSS 121. All original equipment
linings must meet these requirements, but they are optional for aftermarket linings.

The Canadian equivalent rules (CMVSS 121) offer no standard for aftermarket linings either.

The linings are listed in the Adobe Acrobat document called ‘Aftermarket Brake
Lining Material Update’ here in the Research section. They’re arranged in
ascending torque value as measured during the test at 40 psi. Order is not based
on brake-lining quality. The aftermarket brake-lining list is intended to help fleets
replace worn OEM linings with replacement linings of similar torque value to help
ensure torque balance. The higher the torque value, the more aggressive the brake lining.

PRI and the Technology & Maintenance Council stress that the review of this
information does not constitute PRI or TMC approval, certification, endorsement, or recommendation of the products; it simply verifies that the brake lining material, as represented by the data presented to the PRI Brake Lining Performance
Review Committee, has demonstrated its ability to meet FMVSS 121 requirements, when installed on a 16.5×7 brake and operated in a configuration specified in TMC RP 628, “Brake Lining Classification”. Brake lining products that are not on the list either were not tested, or did not pass. Only successfully tested linings are listed.

The torque of an aftermarket lining should approximately match that of the original
equipment lining it is replacing. The vehicle manufacturer should be able to supply the original equipment lining formulation when supplied with the vehicle identification number. Brake lining output torque-by itself-should not be used to measure total brake system performance. Due to variability in testing and lining composition, torques shown in the aftermarket lining classification list are approximate only.

TMC permits distribution of this Appendix. However, the preceding preamble must appear in its entirety with any publication of the brake lining list.

Click on ‘Aftermarket Brake Lining Material Update’ elsewhere in this Research
section.