BENDIX BW7551 User Manual

RSD and Aftermarket Friction

Frequently Asked Questions

One of your top priorities as a fleet or owner-operator is maintaining the safe operation of your vehicles. Bendix, as
always, remains committed to helping you do just that. With the recent implementation of the final phase of the
Reduced Stopping Distance (RSD) mandate, selecting the proper replacement friction is more critical than ever.
Choosing replacement friction for RSD trucks can be confusing, especially in light of conflicting information in the
marketplace. Think of Bendix as your resource on these important issues. To help you better understand what’s at
stake in vehicle maintenance decisions, we share these commonly asked questions.

Why was the RSD mandate implemented?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) implemented the RSD mandate with the goal of
improving highway safety, and reducing injuries, fatalities, and property damages resulting from accidents. The

regulation requires vehicles to stop in 250 feet from 60 mph.

 Estimated annual benefits of RSD*

o 227 lives saved

o 300 serious injuries avoided
o $169 million in property damages avoided

*Source: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

How do I know if RSD affects the truck(s) I am maintaining?

The regulations affect tractors built after August 2011 (for Phase One) and August 2013 (for Phase Two). There is
no requirement to retrofit older vehicles.

 RSD Phase One: Aug. 1, 2011, affects 6 x 4 tractors below 59,600 lbs. GVWR
 RSD Phase Two: Aug. 1, 2013, affects all other tractor applications, including 4 x 2s

Is there any legal obligation to maintain RSD after service? If not, why would I choose to?

Although there is currently no legal requirement to maintain RSD compliance, your choice of aftermarket
friction can have a significant impact on your vehicle’s stopping distance performance and safety. If you

reline with noncompliant friction (friction material that is not RSD certified), you may not maintain the stopping
distance performance your vehicle is capable of. In the event of a crash, you may expose yourself to potential
fatalities and property damages, as well as higher insurance rates and a negative impact to your CSA scores.
Review this chart to see how friction selection impacts stopping distance.

Source: Bendix testing

Will RSD-certified friction increase my operating costs?

No. While it’s true that RSD-certified friction carries a higher initial price tag, it’s important to factor in what you may
save by avoiding the potential pitfalls of relining with noncompliant friction (friction material that is not RSD­certified). This protection and peace of mind far outweigh the cost of RSD friction.

In addition, to address concerns regarding additional costs, we developed Bendix® Advanced BA202R, a cost­effective solution to maintain RSD compliance. The BA202R material is an RSD-certified replacement friction that is
comparable in cost to previous generation OE materials. Like all Bendix RSD-certified linings, BA202R comes with
a letter of certification from Bendix, so you can be confident it will give you the performance you expect.

Since RSD trucks already have larger brakes, does it matter which replacement lining I select?

Yes. Bigger brakes are only half the battle. During an emergency stop, heat is generated faster than it can be
dissipated through the drum. RSD-certified friction has a superior ability to handle high temperatures while
maintaining torque. Prior generation OE and most aftermarket friction are simply not engineered to handle these
conditions.

How do I know if a shoe is RSD compliant? Does it have a different edge code?

Unfortunately, RSD-certified friction does not have a special edge code. Because of this, it’s critical that you
always do two things to ensure you’re getting what you need for your vehicle:

 First, look for labeling on the

shoe that indicates whether
the shoe is RSD compliant.

Bendix has added a label on our
RSD shoes to make technicians
aware they are servicing an RSD
brake, but this is not currently
done throughout the industry.

 Next, ask your supplier for an

RSD-certified friction that’s
appropriate for your vehicle.

Take caution in simply taking a
supplier’s word on this issue.
Ensure you are getting the
performance you expect – ask for
evidence of RSD certification.

For a list of Bendix RSD-certified friction,
see our RSD Friction Certification letter
(BW7537) in the online Literature Center
at foundationbrakes.com.

Does the FMSI indicate that the friction is RSD-certified?
No. The FMSIs used on RSD-compliant trucks are available in the marketplace with a wide variety of frictions;

some are compliant, some are not. To maintain RSD compliance, you must get the proper friction on the proper
FMSI. For a friction material to be certified as RSD compliant, it must not only be dynamometer certified to
FMVSS 121, it must also pass the newly mandated vehicle test. Both elements must be in place for RSD
compliance – there is not a choice of one or the other.