The second part of operational tests of ABE PERFORMANCE brakes

TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT

Stage 2: Performance tests Evaluation of performance parameters, i.e. among others: braking efficiency, comfort of use and degree and manner of wear.

I.  I. ASSESSMENT OF BRAKE KITS:

Checklist of preliminary tests carried out:

• Subjective assessment of braking performance
• Subjective assessment of user comfort
• Assessment of the degree of wear of a set of brake discs and pads
• Measurement of brake disc thickness using a micrometre
• Measurement of axial run-out of brake discs using a professional dial gauge

I.I. Braking performance and user comfort assessment

The evaluation of the users of the test vehicles, i.e. the Seat Leon and the VW Tiguan, shows that the ABE Performance disc and pad sets perform correctly.

a)Seat Leon vehicle. Test set C3S012ABE-P. Distance of 50,000 km.

The disc and pad set was operated intensively. A distance of 50,000 km was driven over a period of 7 months, which made it possible to assess the quality of the test set in many respects.

• Immediately after fitting, insufficient braking performance was noticeable, which is normal. After driving about 200 km, the effectiveness of the brake set has reached an adequate value.
• Currently, the braking force performance is good in all operating conditions. There are no unpredictable reactions during braking on both cold and hot brakes.
• After approx. 9,000 km, a perceptible vibration appeared on the steering wheel when braking, which disappeared after a further approx. 2,000 km. The vibration has not returned to date.
• No excessive dust or dirt on the alloy wheels was noticed. The degree of dust and brake pad wear remains at a satisfactory level

The overall subjective assessment of the vehicle user is good. The ABE Performance brake kit showed satisfactory braking characteristics and performance. At this stage, the driver will decide without hesitation to fit ABE Performance brake discs and pads again.

b)VW Tiguan vehicle. Test set C3W039ABE-P. Distance of 13,000 km

A set of discs and pads was operated in various conditions, covering a distance of 13,000 km. As the vehicle is equipped with a towbar, part of the distance was covered with a trailer. The various operating conditions made it possible to assess the quality of the test set-up in several respects.

• Immediately after fitting, insufficient braking performance was noticeable, which is normal. After driving about 300 km, the effectiveness of the brake set has reached an adequate value.
• Currently, the braking force performance is good in all operating conditions. When driving without additional load as well as with a trailer, also in the rain the braking system behaved properly. There are no unpredictable reactions during braking on both cold and hot brakes.
• After approximately 3,000 km, a perceptible vibration appeared on the steering wheel when braking, which subsided after another few hundred kilometres. The vibration has not returned to date.
• No excessive dust or dirt on the alloy wheels was noticed. The degree of dust and brake pad wear remains at a satisfactory level. A dramatic difference can be noted between the degree of dust deposits on the front and rear axle rims where a competitor’s brake kit is used.

Pic. 1. Front axle rims

Pic. 2. Rear axle rims

The overall subjective assessment of the vehicle user is good. So far, over a distance of 13,000 km, the ABE Performance brake kit has demonstrated satisfactory braking characteristics and performance.

I.II Assessment of test brake assemblies condition

a)Test set C3S012ABE-P. Distance of 50,000 km.

Pic. 3. View of the brake discs in question

Pic. 4. View of the brake pads in question

The pads show natural signs of wear and tear, appropriate to the mileage. No signs of overheating, uneven surfaces or cracks.

After a distance of 50,000 km in highway mode, the ABE Performance brake set shows no excessive wear. The manner and extent of wear, the thickness values obtained and the run-out tolerances of the brake discs ensure that the testing of the brake set in question can be continued for a further test distance of around 10,000 km.

b) Test set C3W039ABE-P. Distance of 13,000 km

Pic. 5. View of the brake discs in question

Pic. 6. View of the brake pads in question

The pads show natural signs of wear and tear, appropriate to the mileage. No signs of overheating, uneven surfaces or cracks

After a distance of 13,000 km in mixed mode (city-highway), the ABE Performance brake set shows no excessive wear. The manner and extent of wear, the thickness values obtained and the run-out tolerances of the brake discs ensure that the testing of the brake set in question can be continued for a further test distance of around 10,000 km.

II. CONCLUSIONS

As announced, the time has come for the first test results and insights from the operation of the ABE Performance brake kits tested. Details are included above in the material.

Experts from the Bureau of Technical Expertise and Training (BETiS) tested ABE Performance brake discs and pads in two cars, i.e. a VW Tiguan and a Seat Leon, for a distance of 13,000 and 50,000 km respectively, in various conditions, in mixed mode. The tests were carried out to assess comfort, braking performance and the degree and quality of wear.

BImmediately after fitting the brake kits, they needed several hundred km (200 – 300 km) to achieve full braking performance. Once the discs and pads were bedded in, no significant operational problems were found. Only, after a certain mileage, in both sets, a vibration was noticed on the steering wheel during braking, which increased as the temperature of the brake discs increased. On the Seat Leon, disc C3S012ABE-P, the symptom occurred after approximately 9,000 km, while on the VW Tiguan, disc C3W039ABE-P, it occurred after approximately 3,000 km. It is important to note that after a distance of approx. 2,000 km in the Seat and approx. 600 km in the VW, the symptom disappeared and by the end of this test phase the vibration had not returned.

The efficiency of the braking system and comfort were rated highly. No abnormalities were noticed during operation and no difference in performance, under different conditions, i.e. hot, cold, dry as well as in the rain, was found in relation to other well-known and more recognisable manufacturers of brake componen.

The wear rate of both sets also remains at a satisfactory level:

• C3S012ABE-P discs, after a distance of 50,000 km, in highway mode, have a thickness of 24.75 mm (nominally 25.01 mm) while the minimum thickness to qualify the discs for replacement is 22 mm.
• C3W039ABE-P discs, after a distance of 13,000 km, in mixed mode, have a thickness of 24.94/24.93 mm (nominally 25.01 mm), while the minimum thickness for disc replacement is 22 mm.

It should be concluded that, at this stage of testing, the ABE Performance brake kit meets the stringent requirements for safety and performance as well as comfort.

In the next stage, in-service testing will continue until the brake sets are completely worn out. Comprehensive results will then be presented, covering the entire service life of the discs and pads, from new to full wear.