Why Invest In The Hunter OCL Hub Mount Rotor Lathe?
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Todays sensitive vehicles, evolving brake components and the increase
of hubbed rotors on Sport Utility Vehicles demand different service procedures
and equipment. Although bench lathes will continue to serve a primary
role, they are no longer the only lathe needed in todays professional
brake shop.
Why is the OCL the Perfect Addition to the Brake
Shop?
- Some vehicles are very “sensitive” to rotor runout. If most of the
runout is not in the rotor
but, is caused by mounting surfaces
at the vehicle, abnormal noise/vibration and pedal pulsation may be
the result. A bench lathe can not address mounting induced runout.
- The OCL machines the rotor in its “native environment”. Since
the mating surface between the rotor and hub is not disturbed
this
helps to ensure the friction surfaces are machined truly perpendicular
to the wheels axis of rotation.
- Additional tear down time for sport utility vehicles, light trucks
and
some passenger cars with “captured rotors
” are virtually eliminated!
- Rotor conditions will not improve over time. In fact, runout promotes
thickness variations. On some vehicles, as little as .0005” thickness
variation can lead to vibration and pedal pulsation complaints!
- Because of its intermittent tool feed design, a non-directional pattern
of interrupted arcs is produced during resurfacing with the OCL.
Many manufacturers prefer a non–directional finish.
To prevent customer complaints and comebacks due to pedal pulsation,
brake shudder and noise/vibration
. Rotor machining must eliminate
runout, thickness variation and friction surfaces that are not perpendicular
to the wheels axis of rotation The addition of the OCL Hub mounted
Rotor Lathe to your brake shop, is the best way to help guarantee the
most complete coverage.
RUNOUT and THICKNESS VARIATION
Most rotors exhibit some amount of lateral runout. In some cases, the
runout may exceed “normal” limitations and cause no problem
at
least initially.
Combine rotor runout with mounting induced run out and the total runout
when the rotor is combined with its hub may well exceed factory
limitations. This “stacked” runout may lead to customer complaints, even
if it is as little as 0.002” – 0.005”.
Stacked run out beyond factory limits induces thickness variation of
the rotor of just .0002” – .0005”. This measurement specification is the
limit allowed by most manufacturers and is not able to be measured by
most shops. A rotor is service beyond this limit is risking the potential
for brake system related vibration complaints.
Given the compounding effects of run-out of the rotor face, mounting
induced runout, and thickness variation, some vehicles may exhibit noise/vibration
and pedal pulsation immediately
or, just a few thousand miles later.
Research indicates that a vehicle, which initially developed pulsation
at 8,000 miles, will re-develop the same pulsating condition over the
same miles if the rotor is replaced without matching it to the vehicle.
Matching the rotor to the vehicle hub is made possible by resurfacing
it on the car.
Why Buy A Hub Mount Lathe Rather Than A Lesser Expensive
Caliper Mounted Lathe?
As with all quality lathes, the Hunter OCL uses a “closed loop” self-contained
arrangement with the hub of the vehicle. This integration supplies an
extremely rigid set up between the work piece and the cutting tools. The
“closed loop” helps insure the rotor is held in place securely, the cutting
tools maintain a position perpendicular to the axis of the rotor rotation,
and that the noise during the resurfacing process is greatly reduced resulting
in a superior surface finish.
By attaching directly to the hub of the vehicle, then compensating for
stacked tolerances of the vehicle hub and rotor, the Hunter OCL consistently
eliminates run-out and leaves no taper. The result is a “matched” rotor
that will allow the brake system to perform as designed.
Conceptual Flaws of the Caliper Mount Lathe
The caliper mount lathe is a two piece unit. One part is the cutting
mechanism and the other rotates the rotor. A rigid loop design does not
exist. This violates a fundamental principle for an automotive lathe.
Have you ever seen a two piece bench lathe?
Since the rotor is typically linked to the drive mechanism through a
flexible coupling, a rigid attachment to the work piece is not maintained.
This permits the hub bearings, steering knuckle and “end-play” to influence
the noise and chatter during the resurfacing.
Caliper mounts attach the cutting mechanism to the steering knuckle.
This falsely assumes that these mounting points are exactly perpendicular
to the rotors axis of rotation. In some cases, compensating for
these mounting errors is offered, however the procedure may be difficult,
time consuming and with less than desirable results.
Because of the numerous steering knuckle configurations, various attachment
procedures are required. The technician may have difficulty determining
the best possible setup.
Avoid all of these problems by using Hunters OCL “closed loop”
self-contained hub mounted design. This helps ensure the rotor is held in
place securely, the cutting tools maintain a position perpendicular to the
axis of the rotor rotation and a reduction in noise during the re-surfacing
process resulting in a superior surface finish.
If you want a COMPLETE brake shop equipped to handle todays problems
ask
for a demonstration of Hunters OCL today.
Why Have So Many Independent Shops
Purchased On-Car Brake Technology?
- Many auto manufacturers have recently mandated or recommended on-car rotor service for their vehicles.
- New developments in on-car lathe design enable even inexperienced operators to quickly setup and properly service rotors with ease.
- In the same amount of time a rotor can be machined on a bench lathe, an on-car lathe can provide better results, better surface finish and tighter tolerances.
100% of passenger cars and light trucks have rotors at the front brakes.
65% of passenger cars and light trucks have rotors at both front and rear brakes.
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