Following on from my enquiry a few months ago it would seem that nobody is able to suggest where a drawing or photo of the BPW nearside brake assembly on a Familia can be obtained. What is so high tech / special about these mechanically operated drum brakes that the details have to be kept top secret (or as per BPW only divulged to those who have been trained in their workshops.)
Could it be that BPW do not want owners to realise that the design of the BPW equipment is (c r##) extremely poor. Also that BPW have deliberately made it as difficult as possible for owners to service the hubs/brakes themselves. Owners might also realise how BPW have cheapened their design to minimise their manufacturing costs but without any regard to potential problems and expense created for owners. Three examples.
1) ONE SHOT NUTS
The hubs are retained by one shot nuts tightened to a torque value beyond the range of a normal workshop torque wrench. This is a cheap and simple method for the manufacturer BPW. For the owner though it requires the purchase of a special large and very expensive torque wrench or at least an extension bar for use in conjunction with a normal wrench. Also new one shot nuts are needed to be purchased and be available every time before any work can be done on the hubs.
Hubs used to be retained by castle nuts and split pins where only the pins needed to be replaced occasionally &#; certainly not every time. Can anyone cite any benefit TO THE OWNER of using one shot nuts rather than castle nuts and split pins ?
2) LEFT HAND THREADS
It has long been appreciated by good design engineers that nuts retaining components rotating in an anti clockwise direction should preferably have left hand threads. If anything untoward should happen the nut would then tighten rather than unscrewing itself. For donkeys years cycle manufacturers have employed left hand threads on nearside pedals for this very reason. For cheapness though BPW use right hand thread nuts on hubs on both sides relying for retention solely on the extremely high torque applied. If ever a caravan or trailer is seen with a lost wheel would lay odds on it being a nearside wheel !!
3) BRAKE SHOE SPRINGS
With a drum removed it is normal to find each brake shoe with an individual pull off spring. BPW though in its cost cutting way use just one spring stretched between the two shoes. This means that it is possible that only one shoe might retract leaving the other rubbing on the drum leading to hub overheating. (This was the cause of hub overheating on my Familia) A single spring means cheaper manufacturing cost to BPW but a potential source of problems for owners.
German engineering usually has a good reputation. BPW cheapo design is clearly an exception. Is ALKO any better?
Alleygater
For more information, please visit ALLMAX.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website BPW Brake Pads factory.
Are you interested in learning more about heavy duty truck brake lining manufacturer? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!