Professional brake disc repairs - What you have to pay attention to
Repairing brakes: Important information for vehicle workshops
Here you will find useful information and important tips relating brake repairs.
Important safety note
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Professional brake disc repairs - What you have to pay attention to: Basics
- Before installation, compare the new spare parts with the parts you have removed.
- Brake discs should always be replaced in pairs and should always be equipped with new brake pads.
- Before mounting a new brake disc, the wheel hub should be metallically bright, flat, and free from burrs. It must then be preserved using a suitable spray oil.
- A proper repair includes the replacement of all accessory parts, such as guide plates or screws. Please always use all parts provided.
- Brake calliper shafts must be clean and rust-free, and the brake calliper guides must run smoothly.
- Use only metal-free brake paste on the contact points between the brake pad and brake calliper. Avoid excessive greasing.
- Components should be clean, should operate smoothly, and should be greased correctly in order to guarantee that the brake system functions properly and to prevent unnecessary noise.
- In order to prevent damage to the wheel suspension or wheel hub, rough mechanical handling must be avoided when removing and installing brake components.
- For correct assembly, always use brake-specific tools or, if necessary, special tools. Observe the prescribed tightening torques!
- Since new brake discs and brake pads first need to adjust to one another, the brake system must be run in immediately following the repair. Comply with the vehicle manufacturers’ run-in instructions.
Brake pad design: Basics
1. Steel pad base plate
2. Pad adhesives
3. Intermediate layer
4. Friction material
5. Secondary measures
7. Identification
Brake pad identification: Background information
Secondary measures - suppressing vibrations and preventing noise: Background information
Braking noise is caused by friction value fluctuations during braking. Secondary measures are intended to suppress high-frequency vibrations and therefore prevent noise. These measures can vary from vehicle to vehicle depending on the structure of the brake system. In some brake pads, several measures may be used simultaneously.
Additional noise-damping measures on the rear of the base plate.
These include a lacquer coating, textile surface, adhesive film, or additional damping plate.
- These measures and features further improve the braking effect and driving comfort
- Adhesive film also secures the brake pad in its operating position and prevents misalignments and noise
Chamfers
Chamfers are tapers in the friction surface individually developed for each brake pad. The final contour of the chamfer is determined through extensive driving tests as well as on test stands.
Task:
- Improve the transition between brake pad and brake disc - Sharp edges are avoided
- Reduce vibrations and noise when initiating the braking process - Due to the changed contact surface on the brake disc, the pressure on the brake pad increases even at low speeds
Weights on the brake pad
An additional damper weight mounted on the brake pad increases the overall mass of the component, thus lowering its resonant frequency. Depending on the configuration and position of the weight, this vibration damping can be used for either targeted noise reduction or complete noise elimination. The design of the weight may vary depending on the vehicle manufacturer and the brake system.
Slots in the brake pad
Depending on the size and shape of the brake pad, cracks may form in the friction lining as a result of temperature-based expansion. Slots are milled into some brake pads to prevent these cracks. These also reduce noise and hold brake pad wear particles.
Directional brake pads
These brake pads are adapted to the installation position in the brake calliper and the running direction of the brake disc through special secondary measures such as chamfers or damping plates. A crescent-shaped recess on the rear alters the press-on position of the piston-side brake pad. This reduces noise and improves the comfort characteristics. The running direction is indicated by an arrow. Special installation instructions are provided for the respective brake pads.
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