None of us want to think about it, but winter is coming, and the chemical slurries that coat the road cling to your vehicle’s undercarriage and gnaw away at any intrusions. This causes rust and premature failure of components like brake pads. “But I just replaced those pads!” you yell, cursing Jack Frost. The question is: What did you replace your old pads with?
That brings us to our first seasonal maintenance bullet point for vehicle braking systems.
1. Select a High-Quality Replacement Brake Pad
The problem starts with the paint. Some replacement brake pads merely paint the backing plate that the friction attaches to in order to protect it from the elements. But paint chips. Rocks spring up from the road and knick that thin coating of protection, which invites rust and corrosion. Old or new, painted backing plates are susceptible to the rigors of the road.
When it comes to brake pad selection, look for a brake pad with a galvanized steel backing plate, which will provide much stronger protection against corrosion. In fact, a brake pad like the NRS Galvanized Brake Pad employs a zinc-plating technology to further protect and ensure long brake pad life.
Additionally, the NRS-patented mechanical brake pad attachment ensures that the engineered layers of the brake pad do not separate over time. Other brake pads use a simple adhesive. The NRS-patented mechanical brake pad attachment ensures that the engineered layers of the brake pad do not separate over time or crumble from corrosion.
2. Watch Your Wheel Ends
Moving up from the brakes, you’ll want to consider the vehicle wheel end. Watch out for corrosion here as well. On air disc brakes, the checkpoints are:
- Guide Pins
- Boots
You’re looking for any opening that would put the caliper at risk. Replace pins and boots as needed. The shear adapter should also be correctly positioned and fully seated. The brake pad carrier should allow for free movement of the pad as well. Remove and clean the carrier service to make sure the brake moves as it should on the guidance system.
3. Lube it Up
Combating corrosion also means proper lubrication, especially when it comes to automatic slack adjusters. You want to ensure that you locate the adjuster’s grease fittings and inject new grease until the old grease is pushed out. This way, you’re protecting the adjuster’s internal components and removing any contaminants held by the old grease. Win-win.
Staying Safe on Slick Roads
When winter weather comes howling down the road, keeping your vehicle’s safety-related equipment working properly and predictably is paramount. Remember that it starts with the selection of high-quality components like NRS Galvanized Brake Pads and continues with proper maintenance and inspection. For more safety benefits of NRS Galvanized Brake Pad, visit https://nrsbrakes.com/.
