The Importance of Truck Brake Lining

Truck brake lining is an important part of a commercial vehicle’s braking system. Understanding how it works and the factors that affect its performance can help truck owners ensure their brakes are safe and reliable.

Brake friction material has to accomplish several things: It must stop the vehicle within a prescribed distance, wear at an acceptable rate and not chew up the drums or rotors.

Brake Lining Materials

There are several options when it comes to choosing the right brake lining for a truck. Some offer better longevity, others are quieter and some are even formulated for specific applications. For instance, the braking requirements and heat dissipation needs of long haul over-the-road trucks are much different from those of a cement mixer or logging truck.

The present invention relates to a process for molding an asbestos-free brake lining composition which has wear, durability and frictional properties comparable or exceeding those of conventional asbestos-type brake linings. The invented brake lining comprises vermiculite and a thermosetting resin having heat resistant properties. Phenol formaldehyde is most preferred as the thermosetting resin, although phenol furfural, melamine formaldehyde, epoxy resins, cross-linked alkyd resins, diallyl phthalate resins and urea-formaldehyde thermosetting resins are also suitable.

The brake lining compositions are preformed and molded by placing them into a mold cavity having roughly the desired product shape. The preformed composition is then compressed at room temperature under a pressure of about 2600 p.s.i. for a period of about 15 seconds to form the molded brake lining. The molded brake lining is then subjected to various testing steps to evaluate its preforming and molding characteristics, its friction and strength properties and its wear performance.

Brake Lining Installation

Brake linings must accomplish several things to be effective. They must stop the truck within a reasonable or prescribed distance, wear at a low rate to keep repair costs down, and resist abrasion to minimize premature deterioration and excessive noise.

Brakes should also work without excessive stress on drums and rotors, which can cause expensive damage. Aggressive linings may offer a shorter stopping distance, but could chew up the drum or rotor faster and require more frequent replacement to remain cost-effective.

Fortunately, replacing brake linings is relatively easy for a truck mechanic and requires only basic tools. However, it is important that the proper break-in process be followed to ensure that the new linings are fully seated and will provide maximum braking performance. In addition, be sure to use a brake lining removal tool with a punch-out adapter that is compatible with the brand of brakes being replaced. Some tools contain chrysotile asbestos, which has been linked to pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.

Brake Lining Maintenance

Regular maintenance of truck brake lining is vital to the safety and performance of a vehicle’s braking system. By replacing a worn out brake lining before it wears out completely, truck owners can save money on expensive repairs to other components of the braking system.

Brake linings create friction by pressing against the brake drum or rotor, transforming kinetic energy into thermal energy that slows and stops the truck. As with other friction-creating surfaces in braking mechanisms, truck brake linings are subject to wear and tear and require frequent replacement.

When brake linings begin to wear out, they create an annoying squeal that warns drivers of impending failure. When ignored, a worn out brake lining can cause serious damage to the brake drum or rotor that can degrade braking capacity. Although specific brake lining replacement procedures vary slightly between industrial-sized vehicles, most of the steps are similar. Brake mechanics should exercise caution when working with old brake linings that may contain chrysotile asbestos, a carcinogenic fiber linked to mesothelioma.

Brake Lining Replacement

Trucks are essential to our society and are vital for transporting goods across long distances. In order to function safely and efficiently, they require a robust braking system. A key component of this braking system is the brake lining. Knowing the importance of brake lining, how it works, and its maintenance is critical for truck owners to ensure their trucks are safe on the road.

Brake lining is the friction material inside the brake pads or shoes of a truck’s braking system. When the truck driver presses the brake pedal, the braking hydraulic system pushes the brake lining against the brake drum or rotor, creating friction that converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy into thermal energy and slows down or stops the truck.

Brake lining materials must be able to maintain their friction coefficients over a wide range of heat values. They must also have high abrasion resistance and be resistant to foreign substances. They should also wear progressively and be quiet when rubbing. Prior to the late 1990s, chrysotile asbestos was commonly used in truck brake lining. However, chrysotile asbestos exposure has been linked to lung diseases such as mesothelioma.