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The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation

Brake check with the Parts Specialists from Diesel Technic

Date: Friday 18 March 2022

In the new workshop video by the Parts Specialists, the brake system of a transporter is examined more closely and then repaired by the workshop professionals Lars and Kevin. As always, viewers get to know different types of error patterns and receive information about their causes and effects, including practical solutions.

The problem the duo has to deal with this time is the one-sided sluggishness experienced by the transporter's right brake. When checking the service brake, it is already apparent that the sleeves are damaged. To get to the bottom of the problem, Kevin dismantles the brake caliper and brake pads, including the caliper carrier.

Meanwhile, Lars goes into a variety of error patterns based on various sets of brake pads. Wear and glazing cause a poor contact pattern on the components. In addition, bluish discoloration and a porous surface indicate extreme thermal stress. The consequences are stiff brakes or other defects in the brake system. It becomes dangerous when the brake pads no longer completely bear on the friction surface of the brake disc, as this reduces the braking effect. Most vehicles are equipped with wear sensors (simple contact wear sensors or digitalised detection systems) that indicate the wear of the brake pads. This allows a defect, or "normal" wear of the components to be detected in time.

Thermal overload is also reflected in drum brake linings through glazing, discolouration, cracking or even torn apart parts. Whether hydraulic brake or air brake: In order to prevent problems in relation to the brake system, it is important to ensure the appropriate brake pressures on the vehicle.

In the next step, the two Parts Specialists show what should be considered when changing the brake pads for the parking brake. Among other things, greasing the parts should not be neglected. However, care should be taken that the lubricant does not come into contact with the braking surfaces. The new brake caliper is installed together with the repair kit, including guide rails, screws, sleeves and grease to ensure that the items run smoothly. Important tip from the Parts Specialists: Cleanliness is the be-all and end-all, because impurities that get into the brake system or the brake fluid can damage the sleeves or seals internally. The consequence would be repeated failure of the brake caliper. Another hint: To find out the wear limit of the brake discs, a caliper gauge helps. It is important to use a special caliper with measuring tips to obtain a meaningful result. After the complete renewal of the brake system, the handbrake of the transporter is ground in during a small but slow spin around the yard. More detailed information on the individual work steps can be found in the video.

The product range of the DT Spare Parts brand has a total of almost 5,000 articles for the "brake system" product group. In addition to overrun brakes, brake shoes, brake lines, calipers, hoses and cylinders, these also include compressors, air tanks and numerous other spare parts. The range is not limited to transporters, but also includes products for trucks, trailers, buses and other applications.

For questions or technical problems, the Parts Specialists HelpDesk is available to all workshop professionals at any time: https://helpdesk.dieseltechnic.com . More workshop videos can be found on the Parts Specialists YouTube channel: ps-web.tv.