The Bendix EverSure spring brake with No Touch technology – delivering improved fuel efficiency, durability and braking power that fleets can count on – continues to gain market acceptance a year after its introduction. Sales of the EverSure spring brake, an innovation of Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC (BSFB), have increased by double digits, with fleets ranging from line-haul to severe service choosing the solution.
The Bendix EverSure spring brake offers fleets improved fuel efficiency because of its lighter weight – yet more robust – design; extended service intervals; and best-in-class force output. Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake, a joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, LLC, launched the next-generation double-diaphragm spring brake for drum brakes at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week 2011.
“The level of growth we’re seeing signals true acceptance among distributors and their customers,” says Fernando Bertero, specialty product line director at BSFB. “Fleets from all vocations are demonstrating commitment to the features and advantages of the EverSure spring brake, which continues to deliver on its promises for performance, durability, safety and return on investment.”
A key advancement in the EverSure spring brake is the elimination of contact between compressed power spring coils, allowing the protective coating to remain intact and resulting in a significant improvement in corrosion resistance compared with competitive products. Contact damage between coils leads to corrosion, which can ultimately cause the spring brake to fail. The spring brake is also engineered with an increased number of active coils, which further reduces surface stresses in the power spring.
The Bendix EverSure spring brake with No Touch technology is approximately two pounds lighter than its closest competitors. The lighter weight design allows trucks and trailers to carry increased payload, while helping offset the extra weight added to commercial vehicles by engine systems designed to meet recent emissions regulations. The product’s lighter weight also leads to the best vibration resistance in the industry. Lower vibration levels help prolong the life of the spring brake and supporting components.
“The combination of additional active coils, the elimination of coil contact and lighter weight design allows the EverSure spring brake to set the standard for durability,” says Mark Kromer, engineering manager for actuation/slack adjuster products for BSFB.
The new spring brake sets the standard for braking performance as well. BSFB optimized the diaphragms of the EverSure spring brake, resulting in superior force output at both standard and long stroke lengths.
Ongoing testing, focused on low-cost competitive products, continues to demonstrate the competitive advantage of the EverSure spring brake. The testing also confirms the importance of high-quality spring brakes for vehicle safety.
“We began testing prior to launching the EverSure spring brake,” Bertero says. “The results continue to yield questionable findings in the quality of low-cost competitors, revealing inferior components, designs and manufacturing processes. We’ve found the competitive products perform insufficiently and at a level of safety below what North American truck fleets demand.”
The EverSure spring brake, which has undergone extensive validation tests as well, exceeds all compliance requirements for performance and durability in Original Equipment, as well as aftermarket. And it is designed to industry-standard dimensions, making it easy to install as a replacement part in the aftermarket.
In 2011, Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake launched a new spring brake for air disc brake applications. Available in North America, the double diaphragm spring brake offers an alternative to current piston-style spring brakes. Previously, BSFB launched a similar product for European applications and North American trailer applications.
