Haldex utilizes a unique boltless brake pad retainer, requiring no tools to replace the brake pads. Like most air disc brakes, the pads can be changed out in about half the time it typically takes to change drum brake linings once the wheels are off.

Haldex utilizes a unique boltless brake pad retainer, requiring no tools to replace the brake pads. Like most air disc brakes, the pads can be changed out in about half the time it typically takes to change drum brake linings once the wheels are off.

Air disc brakes improve vehicle-braking performance, providing reduced stopping distances. They are the perfect solution for fleets looking for high efficiency with greater control and stability for a long service life with lower total cost of ownership

Air disc brakes require less maintenance and replacement than drum brakes during the life of your vehicle (tractor or trailer), protecting your peace of mindand your bottom line.

To calculate your fleet’s actual tractor or trailer payback from air disc brakes, click here

The upfront cost of drum brakes is very appealing but the savings often fade when you consider maintenance requirements over the life of the vehicle. Air disc brakes come at a premium, typically costing $2,250 more for a tractor with three axles and $3,000 more for a trailer with two axles. However, air disc brake maintenance is considerably less than drum brakes, usually requiring only inspections. In typical long-haul applications, air disc brake pads will last upwards of 500,000 miles over their life, and rotors are expected to last between 750,000 to 1,000,000 miles, reducing the required maintenance, possibly even eliminating it. In addition, the reduced maintenance and inspection of air disc brakes makes sense for fleets who keep their vehicles longer, especially in the high-duty cycles in refuse and pickup & delivery applications.

One of the biggest advantages of air disc brakes over drum brakes is that disc brake pads last longer than drum brake linings. And, when it's time to change the disc brake pads, it's quick and simple. Haldex utilizes a unique boltless brakepad retainer, requiring no tools to replace the brake pads. Like most air disc brakes, the pads can be changed out in about half the time it typically takes to change drum brake linings once the wheels are off.

In addition to reduced service, repairs on air disc brakes are considerably faster than repairs on drum brakes. The overall benefit of air disc brakes results in reduced maintenance costs.

Inspections and preventive maintenance on air disc brakes is quicker than drum brakes. The compact design of the air disc brake means fewer components, simplifying maintenance to reduce downtime. For example, the Haldex air disc brake design is optimized to include only two fastening bolts and no mechanism cover plate. The sealed design of air disc brakes means there's no periodic lube required.

The modular design of the air disc brake compared to the drum brake permits the same mechanism and sliding function to be used on multiple brake sizes, thus reducing inventory. So, spare parts can be used on multiple brake sizes.

Calculating Real Savings

In general, the savings on the initial purchase of drum brakes look attractive but that savings fade away in the long run because drum brakes have to be repaired often and linings need replacement more frequently than air disc brakes. Overthe life of the vehicle, drum brakes require added costs for replacement parts in addition to more service labor and downtime costs.

Air disc brakes show a substantial savings of time and money that adds up when
you evaluate air disc brake purchases for the fleet over its lifetime.

Let's take a look at the maintenance costs associated with air disc brakes when
compared to drum brakes over the life of a tractor and a trailer.

Maintenance Savings — Tractor

As an example of savings for a single tractor, a fleet that keeps a vehicle 4 years would likely experience 2 drum brake relines and 1 drum brake overhaul vs. the same vehicle with disc brakes would have only 1 brake pad replacement. Time and materials savings could amount to $922 per wheel end. For a 3-axle tractor that is over $5,500 in savings. There may be an upcharge for specifying disc brakes but the payback could be very quick given your exact parts cost, labor rates and length of time you plan to keep your vehicle.

To calculate your fleet's actual tractor or trailer payback, it's easy with our new payback calculator here

Maintenance Savings — Trailer

The same type of savings realized on a tractor can also be experienced on a trailer. The assumptions will be different, for example, a fleet keeping a trailer for 15 years will experience 4 brake relines, 2 drum brake over hauls vs. the same trailer with disc brakes will experience 2 pads replacements and 1 disc brake overhaul. Time and materials savings could amount to over $850 per wheel end. For a 2-axle trailer that is over $3,400 in savings. Again parts, labor, average annual miles, miles between brake jobs and length of time you keep your trailers will influence the exact outcome but savings could more than offset the upcharge for specifying disc brake on your trailer.

Downtime

When you figure your downtime savings into the equation, air disc brakes have a significantly lower ROI because you save in material and parts costs, labor costs and downtime. Air disc brakes require less maintenance, deliver longer pad and rotor life and reduce service time, making air disc brakes the perfect solution for fleets looking for high efficiency with greater control and stability for a long service life – all with a Lower Total Cost of Ownership.