Know How – Expert Edition – NVH Prevention

DEVELOPMENT

Vehicle manufacturers rely on their suppliers for preliminary testing on the individual components that make up a braking system. Verifying if a braking system generates sufficient friction and suppresses noise without impacting pedal feel, fade resistance, wear, or stopping power includes closely meeting OE specifications. Those specifications are also weighed against performance on test tracks to evaluate overall brake quality. When all design targets have been met, the braking system is approved and production begins. When designing brakes to OE specifications, NAPA developers follow industry standard testing processes which include the use of a dynamometer, a test track and even road testing for aftermarket brake pads.

QUIETING BRAKES

Design, materials and the production process can all affect the volume of braking systems. Most brake noise is the result of vibrations between the caliper and the pads. When the pad inside a caliper isn’t properly secured, it oscillates and vibrates when it comes into contact with the brake disc, creating a squeaking sound. Heavily scored or lipped brake discs can also make excessive noise due to their rough surfaces rubbing against the pads. When replacing brake parts, the OE quality and innovation offered by NAPA products can help to reduce NVH. These products can range from shims to dampen pad-caliper vibrations to added slots to enhance the pad while reducing noise.

RESTORING BRAKES

Though NAPA Braking components benefit from NVH prevention features, they can often be hampered by the corrosion and wear of surrounding components when installed in older vehicles. For example, springs can lose their tension by up to 50% due to wear and tear, which causes pads to move excessively and generate noise. The best practice for minimising noise is to restore the entire braking system to an as-new condition. This involves the assessment of the calipers, discs and other hardware to assess the need for restoration or replacement. When fitting, ensure that all corrosion is removed from the support points beforehand to prevent brake noise.

When lubricating new or restored braking parts, make sure to avoid using copper grease as this may cause erosion and impact ABS signals. You should also ensure that the hubs are thoroughly cleaned before fitting any new brake discs. A dial test indicator (DTI) is also important at this stage to check for lateral runout. By taking these steps, one can make certain that there will not be any brake juddering after the repair has been completed.