TECHNICAL BULLETIN

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 25, 2019

Friction Material Standard Institute (FMSI) has updated their standards to reflect a mechanical retention as an integral part of the OE steel backing plate design for these brake pad applications:
D784, D840, D857, D934, D935, D945, D962, D965, D1011, D1012, D1032, D1066, D1077, D1278, D1279, D1353, D1363, D1382, D1405, D1540, D1550, D1680, D1691, D1746, D2018

More to be announced as information becomes available from FMSI

OE manufacturers specify mechanical retention between the steel backing plate and friction material due to the specific application design for high loads. Brake pads without a mechanical retention system have an elevated risk of the friction material separating from the backing plate which can lead to brake failure.

Having reviewed the referenced applications, it appears that many aftermarket brake pads currently being sold and installed on North American vehicles are without OE designed mechanical retention. NUCAP is recommending that these brake pads be only supplied to the Aftermarket with mechanical retention so not to compromise this critical feature that is fundamental to the OE brake system design.