Brake Industry News

Brake Centre quality certified by AA

2011-09-24T10:51:00.000+02:00

Brake Centre has been registered as a Quality Assured service provider.

The AA Quality Assured register is an exclusive AA register of motor related businesses in which the customer can haveimplicit trust. Registration requires commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, facilities andcustomer attention at fair and reasonable charges.

The following is an extract of the relevant sections of the AA QAssured Standard for a Brake and Clutch Fitment Centre:

Registered AAQA brake and clutch fitment centers shallcomply with the following:

8 MANDATORY (COMPULSORY) CRITERIA

8.1 At the time of theAAQA inspection audit, documentation or information systems shall be madeavailable to the auditor from which a list of at least 40 names of the most recent customers canbe extracted, with their daytime telephone numbers. (The list shall be used by AAQA for the purpose of determining thecustomer satisfaction rating of the business).
8.2 Insurance forgeneral liability. The policy shall include a clause on cover for defectiveworkmanship. The policy, or copy thereof, shall be available for inspection at each AAQA audit.
8.3 Sufficient membersof the workshop staff shall be qualified in the motor technician's trade, with A card or trade test certificate, (or certified copies thereof), available for inspection ateach AAQA audit.
8.4 Written guarantee/ warranty on workmanship / repairs / services, applicable for a specificperiod of time, to be recorded on the invoice, or a suitable document handed to the customer.
8.5 For the purpose ofmaximum uniformity and control of misrepresentation, all material containingany reference to AAQA registration or the use of the AAQA logo or wording, shall be submittedby the business to the AAQA division for approval, prior to publication and printing.
8.6 The business shall co-operate fully to resolve anydispute arising, in order to minimize customer dissatisfaction and inconvenience. If the AA so deems it necessary to hold a mediation forwhatever reason, the accountable representatives of the business shall attend such mediation.
8.7 A fullyaccountable member of staff shall be available on the premises at all timesduring business hours.
8.8 Adequate reception. (refer to section 9 for further detail).
8.9 Efficient systems and administration, in particular, detailed works control document (job card) andinvoice.
8.10 The interior and exterior ofthe building shall be clean and of a high standard.
8.11 If quotations for strip and quote are to be charged for, the customer shall be informed of the amountof such charges, prior to any work commencing.
8.12 Covered working bays.

Besides the normal workshop equipment and criteria, there shall be specificallyavailable and in use, the following:

8.13 2 or 4 post hoist.
8.14 Trolley jack.
8.15 Trestles and creepers.
8.16 Vice, mounted to a work bench
8.17 Tool rack or tool box, perwork station.
8.18 Complete tool kit per technician, including complete set of spanners, sockets, allen keys,screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, saws, punches, files and vice grips.
8.19 Compressed air system.
8.20 Parts wash facility.
8.21 Torque wrench.
8.22 Arc welder.
8.23 Brake shoe radius grinder, with dust extractor.
8.24 "On the vehicle" brake disc skimmer.
8.25 "Off the vehicle" disc anddrum lathe.
8.26 Hub puller.
8.27 Dial Test Indicator gauge.
8.28 Brake drum measuringequipment.

9 EXTERIOR OF PREMISES, RECEPTION, AND CUSTOMER FACILITIES

The business shall comply with the availability and usage of the following criteria:

9.1 The premises shallbe easily identified and signed when viewed from the roadway.
9.2 Adequate and safeparking.
9.3 Externalappearance clean and painted.
9.4 Reception areaclean and uncluttered.
9.5 Reception staffneatly dressed.
9.6 Customer waitingarea adequately furnished.
9.7 Toilet facilitiesavailable, clean, functional, and with soap and towel.
9.8 Certificates ofachievement displayed (relating to the business and staff).
9.9 Details displayedof guarantee / warranty on the wall in the reception area. Refer to item 8.5and 10.7 for further detail.
9.10 The AAQA Standards Manualavailable, up to date and in order.
9.11 AAQA logos, signs and materialin order.
9.12 Reception area constantlymanned.
9.13 Refreshments available, i.e. tea, coffee, cold drinks.
9.14 Old parts available forinspection.
9.15 Also note relevant materialas included under the mandatory listing.

10 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The business shall be inspected for general compliance of the following:

10.1 Customer satisfaction followup system in use.10.2 Courtesy car facility available for collecting / delivering customers.
10.3 A training programme shall bein place to ensure that all staff are kept up to date with the latesttechnologies and skills.
10.4 System in use to controlvehicle booking and progress of work.
10.5 The premises shall be free ofall items that do not assist in the day to day running of the business. Suchitems include redundant tools, equipment, tyres, vehicles, vehicle components and thelike.
10.6 Faxmachine and e-mail facilities, with e-mail address available.
10.7 Minimum guarantee/warranty of6 months or 10 000km on workmanship/repairs/services or, as per writtenagreement with the customer. Spares warranty as per agreement with the spares supplier.10.8 Technical manuals andbulletins neatly stored, in use, and available to technicians.
10.9 Also noterelevant criteria as included under the mandatory listing.

11 ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTATION

Job card and invoice documentation shall be inspected for compliance ofthe following criteria:

11.1 Business letterhead/logoprinted.
11.2 Time and date vehicle wasreceived.
11.3 Customer / contactperson's name and daytimetelephone number.
11.4 Job card number and invoicenumber.
11.5 Vehicle make, type andregistration number.
11.6 Odometer reading.
11.7 Quotation details.
11.8 Staff contact name.
11.9 Detailed customer'sinstructions on job card.
11.10 Account number, order number, andcustomer's postal address (account / fleet).
11.11 Writing neat and legible.
11.12 Record of other faults found duringrepairs, and record that the customer was notified.
11.13 Record of future recommended work requiredto the vehicle, on the invoice.
11.14 Record of body damages before repair workcommences.
11.15 Parts, labour and consumable details.
11.16 Unit price, sub total, VAT and total price.
11.17 Customer's signature on the job card priorto work commencing. (where possible)
11.18 Written details of guarantee/warranty onworkmanship on the invoice or separate document. (Refer items 8.5 and 10.7).
11.19   Also note relevant criteria as includedunder the mandatory listing.

12 HEALTH AND SAFETY

The business shall comply with the availability and usage of thefollowing criteria:

12.1 Reception and workshop areasto be maintained so as to present no unsafe hazards to staff and customers.

12.2 Adequate fire extinguishingequipment available with services up to date and clearly indicated by mandatorywarning signs and demarcation on floor. Demarcated areas to be free of all obstructions. 12.3 Injured On Duty formsavailable and in order.

12.4 Equipment inspection recordsavailable and in use.

12.5 Workshop well ventilated.

12.6 Entries and exits uncluttered.

12.7 First aid box, well equipped.

12.8 Also note relevant criteriaas included under the mandatory listing.

13 WORKSHOP

The business shall be audited forcompliance of the following criteria and equipment availability and usage:

13.1 Workshop and store areas cleanand tidy and floors to be in good condition, painted, and free from old cakedoil and grease.
13.2 Durable workbench / table of adequate area, per work station.
13.3 Adequate lighting, with nounserviceable lights.
13.4 All technicians wearing astandard, clean uniform, with no zips or buttons exposed, to damage vehiclepaintwork.
13.5 Seat, carpet and fenderprotection covers available and in use.
13.6 Tools shall be in goodcondition and the correct tools used for the job.
13.7 One lead light per workstation.
13.8 Welding goggles and gloves.
13.9 Bench grinder with eyeprotection and eye protection warning sign.
13.10 Oxy-acetylene set with flash backarrester.
13.11 Arc welder
13.12 Power drill with drill bits.
13.13 Vernier gauge.
13.14 Set of taps and dies.
13.15 Bearing pullers.
13.16 Bench drill.
13.17 Trays to store parts and for spillage.
13.18 Extension lead.
13.19 Engine and gearbox trestles.
13.20 Wheel nuts to be re-torqued tomanufacturer's specification, using a torque wrench.
13.21 Wheel nut torque chart for passengervehicles, available for easy reference.
13.22 Adequate stocks of grease and brake fluid.
13.23 Adequate supply of fast moving parts.
13.24 Efficient and clean facilities for the handling of new and wastelubricants.
13.25 Engine hoist.
13.26 Summer coolant / anti freeze to be addedto the cooling system when necessary.
13 27 Also note relevant material as includedunder the mandatory listing.

Brake specialist

2010-06-07T10:23:00.006+02:00

Picking the eyes out of the brake industry

The frenetic pace of modern life demands service in an instant, when we want it, where we want it. That is the essence of franchised operations such as tyre, exhaust and shockabsorber fitment centres. And therein lies the rub: they are fitment centres.

Fitment centres operate on the principal of big combined buying power that can demand low prices from suppliers, and that price advantage is then passed on to the client. They move large volumes at small margins and that is how their profits are generated. So, if you need a tyre for your average car, that is the place to go. It is nearly always a very good deal.

However, if you need a tyre for your 300km/hr supercar, that is not the place to go. Their expertise just does not extend to the ability to distinguish between different compounds for different applications, the scrubbing of tyres to prepare for race conditions, correct operating pressures for specific applications, et cetera et cetera. If you wish to see out your three score and ten years, you need a specialist for that kind of advice.

So what does that have to do with the brake industry?

Well, many people have died in low speed accidents, say at 60km/hr, when a head-on accident between two vehicles will equate to a combined impact of 120km/hr. To avoid a tragedy you have to be able to rely on your brakes. Even in your average car, with everybody obeying the speed limits, you have to avoid supercar-like impacts of 240km/hr head-on impacts on the open road. And you have only your brakes to save you. You do not want a fitment centre to have worked on your brake system. It is cheap, but then so will the lives of your family be.

Brake systems should be serviced by specialists. FULL STOP.

What is expected of a brake specialist?

Again, you have to distinguish between companies that

want to be the cheapest suppliers of brake system components, and
companies that are equipped to properly inspect, diagnose and repair faults in brake systems. These are the ones you can rely on.

A brake specialist will have available:

Appropriate lifting equipment in a clean, safe working environment,
trained fitters to prepare a vehicle for inspection and fit parts as instructed,
at least one qualified technician that understands the entire system, to diagnose system faults, prescribe the correct remedies, and take responsibility for repair work,
modern equipment to measure

the braking forces at each wheel,
deceleration ability of your vehicle,
brake pressures,
vacuum strengths,
component tolerances and
brake fluid qualities

specialized tools to prevent damage to brake system components when working on them,
a quality system to minimize human error as far as possible.

Any operation that is looking for a quick buck by fitting a set of pads or discs, or skimming your discs while they fit your tyres, are doing so at your expense. They will not recognise a faulty calliper even if it falls on their foot, and will ignore uneven brake pad wear causes without addressing those causes. They will not inform you that theirs is a superficial service that takes no account of other shortcomings in your braking systems, and you will drive away from there with a misplaced trust in your braking system. It is called criminal negligence. Consider yourself warned.

For Employers

Outcome-based training for passenger car and light delivery vehicle mechanics in South Africa includes a unit standard titled "Repairing Brakes on Hydraulic Systems". Have a look at it on the MERSETA website. If you know anything about modern braking systems, you will agree that the scope of the standard is woefully inadequate. It is merely a guideline for minimum background knowledge, and no company can rely on that required level of knowledge to provide experts for the brake industry. There is a lot of work to be done, and hopefully the unit standard will be upgraded in 2011.

In the meantime, it is not going to help you much in a court of law when you explain that your employee is a qualified mechanic. He needs to be qualified to understand brake systems, and he needs the correct tools to work on those systems. Again, consider yourself warned.

For Drivers

They say that history is written by the victors - the stories of the dead are seldom heard and acted upon. It is the same for legislation on road safety - it is written by living people, not by those that have died in car crashes. We have to think like they would now, put ourselves in their places, or we will end up in coffins, like them.

Spec for seals

2010-06-07T10:16:00.002+02:00

Elastomeric Seals Compulsory Specification: Government Gazette number 27665 of 17 June 2005

Government Notice number R567. Proposed introduction of a compulsory specification for Replacement Elastomeric Cups and Seals for Hydraulic Brake Actuating Cylinders for use in Motor vehicles using Non-Petroleum Base Hydraulic Brake Fluid (Service Temperature 70 °C to 150°C Maximum).

Download this document Elastomeric seals (PDF, 40 KB).