ArvinMeritor system fights brake shoe corrosion and rust-jacking

March 1, 2009
Arvinmeritor Inc has introduced remanufactured brake shoes with PlatinumShield coating, which provides superior protection against corrosion and rust-jacking.

Arvinmeritor Inc has introduced remanufactured brake shoes with PlatinumShield coating, which provides superior protection against corrosion and rust-jacking. Remanufactured Meritor shoes with PlatinumShield coating provide a three-year, 300,000 mile warranty against rust-jacking.

The aftermarket shoes — platinum gray in color — were launched February 8 at the Technology & Maintenance Council annual conference in Orlando, Florida, and subsequently the following week in Orlando at the annual meeting of Heavy Duty Aftermarket.

The PlatinumShield coating was developed by ArvinMeritor brake engineering to resist micro-abrasion caused by the movement of the brake lining against the shoe table during normal use. Rust-jacking occurs when rust forms on bare shoe metal under the lining, causing the lining to lift and crack.

Starting in May 2009, the remanufactured brake shoes with PlatinumShield coating will be standard on all Meritor remanufactured production shoes with “MA” and “R” prefixes; Meritor MG1, MG2L, MG2, CG, and MET OEM aftermarket shoes; and Fras-Le F550, F555, F577, F560, F587, F787T, and Combo shoes.

“While rust-jacking has been a recurring industry issue, it's a fact that the increased use of harsh liquid chemicals as winter road solvents can accelerate the formation of rust on shoe metal where the paint has been worn away,” said Doug Wolma, general manager of remanufacturing for ArvinMeritor's Commercial Vehicle Aftermarket (CVA) business. “PlatinumShield is a technologically-advanced coating process that provides North American truck operators with the highest level of protection possible.”

This technology breakthrough is the result of ArvinMeritor's investment in an improved paint facility at its Plainfield, Indiana, remanufacturing facility. Used shoes are shot-blasted and proceed through a five-stage wash and pretreatment process with iron phosphate before the PlatinumShield coating is applied.

To address new truck-trailer brake applications, ArvinMeritor will make the PlatinumShield anti-rust jacking coating available to all OEM customers later in 2009.