When loading up the vehicle for the summer break, DBA’s upgrade brake products can help keeping your family and vehicle safe.
We Aussies love our 4WDs and SUVs. So much, that we buy more of them than of any other type of car. No wonder – they allow us to travel in comfort, lug all the gear we need, and are just a great way to go exploring. This is especially true for the holiday season.
With camping and outdoor equipment, a trailer, and the whole family aboard comes extra weight that needs to be stopped safely. Whilst most OE-fitted brakes will do a reasonable job of it, there are two aspects that will help determine whether a brake upgrade might be required: (a) Are the brakes technically capable of handling the extra load, and (b) – considering every metre counts – would shortening the vehicle’s stopping distance be of value?
Let’s start with the latter. In theory, a GVM increase should have no impact on the stopping distance, assuming all other conditions remain unchanged and the brakes can handle the extra weight. However, in reality the load sensitivity of most tires in their typical operating range is such that the friction coefficient decreases as the load increases, meaning less friction between the tyres and the road leads to a longer stopping distance. A brake upgrade can help compensate for this. Larger brake diameters, surface design (slotted, drilled, etc.) as well as the pad friction composition all increase braking performance, which will not only help you make up for the additional metres, but can even reduce the stopping distance compared with the original equipment.
Which brings us back to point one – are the brakes currently on the vehicle capable of handling the extra weight? With higher weights, higher thermal energy is created during the braking process, which standard brakes might not be able to dissipate adequately, especially when brakes are applied over a prolonged period. The result will be brake fade and eventual brake failure.
This is where DBA has the upgrade ‘combo’ for a wide range of SUVs, Utes and 4WDs. Its 4000 Series rotors offer superior braking performance under the heaviest conditions without the need for a change in rotor size or any other modifications to the vehicle thanks to the patented Kangaroo Paw ventilation vane design, high carbon cast-iron material, Thermal Stability Profiling (TSP) treatment, and the unique thermo-graphic paint markings. 4000 Series rotors are available in various surface configurations, with the popular T3 tri-directional slots facilitating additional dust and gas dissipation.
The 4000 Series rotors are perfectly complemented by DBA’s range of Xtreme Performance brake pads. Scorched for optimal performance, this low-metallic, low copper friction material offers superior performance across the full temperature spectrum. Application-specific NVH shims and slots facilitate low noise and maximum drive comfort.
In addition to its upgrade rotors and pads, DBA now also offers a wide range of brake calipers for 4WDs and SUVs as a convenient and time-efficient “bolt off, bolt on” solution, should a caliper replacement be required.
To find the right upgrade parts for any vehicle, check out DBA’s electronic Part Finder, contact DBA on Facebook or via email at [email protected], or phone 1800 730 039.
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