ArvinMeritor

ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Systems business announced a major upgrade of its Q Plus drum brakes, resulting in improved stopping performance for heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

The company said the Q Plus brake offering consists of larger 16.5-inch by 5-inch brakes on the front steering axle coupled with standard size 16.5-inch by 7-inch brakes on the rear axles. Both brakes use proprietary Meritor MA210 lining material, which promises greater stopping power and improved lining drum wear, as well as parking capability.

“The change in front brake size and friction material provides significantly improved stopping performance for heavy-duty vehicles,” said Rakesh Sachdev, vice-president and general manager of Worldwide Braking Systems.

According to company engineers, testing performed to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS-121) procedures show the enhanced brakes deliver significantly more torque, resulting in greatly reduced stopping distances when compared to similar vehicles equipped with conventional front brakes.

“The enhanced high-output Q Plus brake comes close to the shorter stopping distances associated with air disc brakes, but without their higher cost,” said Sachdev. “It’s a win-win situation for North America’s truck operators.”
The Q Plus brake is standard equipment on more North American heavy- and medium-duty trucks than any other brand, according to the company.