Few would argue against your braking system being one of the most important components of your 4X4.
Ultimately, everything else in your vehicle (from its handling to the number of USB outlets in its dashboard) is secondary to the ability to brake safely and reliably.
But, you might ask, brakes are designed to be one thing and one thing only, so why should I need to consider upgrading my stock braking system?
Well, it’s all about energy and how you plan on using your vehicle. If you desire to create the perfect overlanding tool, for example, then stock brakes simply might not be enough.
It’s all about energy
Brakes function by converting kinetic energy into thermal energy and the faster you’re going and the heavier your vehicle, the more energy is required to stop your vehicle. Overlanding vehicles are, by design, heavy cars that are being tasked with more than your typical road vehicle. So, logic dictates they are going to need more energy to break reliably and safely.
When loaded with upgrades such as vehicle protection, overlanding gear, large wheel and tyre packages or heavy freight loads, braking efficiency suffers, and stopping distances can increase dramatically. And that’s where braking performance upgrades come in.
Brake fade
It’s not just a case of a braking system not being adequate but over time, stock systems are liable to wear down.
This is known as ‘brake fade’ and refers to the reduction in stopping power that can occur after repeated or sustained application of the brakes, especially in high load or high-speed conditions such as when overlanding.
What to look for when looking at brake upgrades
Swept area – This refers to the area of the ring on the brake disc that the pad contacts as it spins and is often used as a metric for comparing braking performance. Generally speaking, the bigger the diameter of the brake disc, the bigger the pad area can be, the more friction can be generated, and the longer the pad will take to reach its fade point.
Vented or non-vented rotors – Your brake rotor effectively exists to dissipate heat into the air in between brakes, so heavier vehicles will always benefit from vented rotors. Whether the vents are straight, pillared or curved, the venting increases surface area and allows the rotor to more effectively manage heat.
Brake pads – There are hundreds of different compounds that go into a typical brake pad, so to refer to any one as ‘organic’ is quite preposterous. The material isn’t really important, what’s important is the pad’s “friction coefficient.”
Calipers – Some brake upgrade kits move the brake calipers away from the centre of the axle because the further you move the caliper from the tire, the more leverage it has to stop the wheel. Calipers might also have different numbers of pistons, with multi-piston calipers generally providing greater braking improvements and more reliable pedal response.
Considerations
- If you’ve added a significant amount of weight to your vehicle, such as a caravan, trailer, or a horsebox, then your stock brakes might not be legal.
- There are various brands selling braking upgrade kits of various styles, but be aware that these kits are made to fit specific makes and models. They are by no means one-size-fits-all.
