The resulting Meritor SteelLite X30, with its one-
piece roll-formed steel shell design, proved to
be the ideal solution. This proven drum design
combines lighter weight with the strength of
steel, plus the inherent strength and durability
of a one-piece unit that delivers superior
concentricity and better balance. This one-piece
solution (which requires no welding) is the
result of ArvinMeritor’s expertise in engineering,
metallurgy and manufacturing – advantages that
produce superior results on the job.
Want enduring fl eet effi ciency? Let’s talk.
Genuine Meritor full-
cast brake drums
meet the needs
of customers who
want the durable
performance
of engineering-
approved quality
cast drums, but do not need to be overly concerned
about vehicle weight. In addition, Meritor full-cast
drums require less maintenance, which contributes
to the profi table performance your operation needs
year in and year out. For more information, call
our customer service team at 888-725-9355 or
visit arvinmeritor.com.
MERITOR® BR AKE DRUMSFREQUENTLY ASKED QUEST IONS
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC7975 Dixie Highway
Florence, Kentucky 41042 USA888-725-9355
XpresswayPlus.arvinmeritor.comarvinmeritor.com
Litho in USAIssued 12-09SP-1007 (13028/11900)©2009 ArvinMeritor, Inc.
AF
TER
MA
RK
ET
What defi nes a lightweight drum, and what are my options?
Typically, lightweight drums include several
alternatives to the traditional full-cast drum. Most
are composite steel shells or cast lightweight.
Some composite steel shell drums consist of two
steel halves that are welded together to form a single
drum. This reduces the weight vs. full-cast, but may
create other problems, including balance issues
created by the welds, which can affect operating
performance. External weights are often used to
assist in correcting the balance issues, but these can
increase the overall weight of the drum. If weld-on
weights come loose, they can also lead to vibration
and component wear concerns.
Other lightweight drum options include the use of
standard gray cast iron. However, the weight savings
is a result of removing material or reducing section
thickness in the drum’s design. Removing weight
from a standard cast drum may affect its strength
characteristics which can lead to reduced durability.
In designing the ideal lightweight drum solution, the
highly experienced engineering team at ArvinMeritor
agreed that a one-piece design that maintains
structural integrity would be ideal, especially when
manufactured from material that combines strength
and light weight.
There are many different kinds of brake drums available.
These FAQs are designed to outline Meritor® full-cast
brake drums vs. other full-cast drum options.
Why purchase a Meritor full-cast brake drum vs. other available options?
In heavy-duty applications where strength and durability
are essential and weight savings are not crucial, genuine
Meritor full-cast brake drums can be the best option.
The combination of advantages provided by Meritor
full-cast brake drums have been proven year after
year to work well in many vocational and off-highway
applications.
When are the strengths of full-cast brake drums absolutely needed?
Certain applications are ideal for full-cast brake drums,
and some are not. The heavier weight of the full-cast
drums adds to the overall weight of the vehicle, reducing
the potential payload. If hauling long-distance loads is
the norm for your operation, the upfront investment in a
lightweight drum, such as the SteelLite X30,™ could be
benefi cial when considering payload capacity.
If your application requires higher heat dissipation or
frequent stops, full-cast drums may be the right choice.
Meritor full-cast drums provide excellent strength and
durability at a low cost.
What are the main alternatives to full-cast brake drums?
In addition to industry-standard genuine Meritor full-
cast drums, there are other full-cast drum options,
including value drums and import drums. Value
drums can offer a lower price, but have a number
of disadvantages associated with them. Similarly,
import brake drums can offer a value price, but
present a different set of disadvantages.
The lightweight drums are available for certain
applications, but require careful selection in order to
ensure adequate durability.
What are the main advantages/disadvantages of value cast drums?
Value cast drums can offer a lower price, but there
are several recognized disadvantages.
First, value drums are often cast without a squealer
band, or with a very small squealer band. A squealer
band is a band of extra material found on genuine
full-cast drums that adds the extra strength needed
to assure long-lasting durability and long-lasting
service for your business operation. The absence of
a squealer band can also take away the Machine-
to-Balance option, which genuine Meritor full-cast
drums use to assure smooth performance.
Another disadvantage of value drums is that less
material is used to make them, so that each value
drum weighs about 8 to 9 pounds less.
The additional mass in a standard full-cast brake
drum provides greater absorption of the heat
created during braking than a lighter drum does.
The full-cast drum absorbs the heat during braking
and transfers it away from the brake lining material
to keep the lining from overheating so that good
braking performance is maintained.
Lighter full-cast drums react differently to extreme
braking heat, and when they cannot absorb or
transfer the heat successfully, they can show
evidence of drum failure by cracking, by becoming
distorted, by failing prematurely, by reduced lining life
or by exhibiting poor fade recovery time.
An added problem with value drums is the absence
of strict quality controls in manufacturing, which can
result in faulty metallurgical makeup. This inherent
weakness in metallurgy can result in increased
maintenance while reducing durability.
Why are genuine Meritor full-cast drums a better option than value cast drums?
Strength and durability are two advantages that
enable fl eets to receive the full value of their
investment in drum technology. With genuine Meritor
full-cast drums, there is no question that long life
and solid performance will not only return the full
value to the fl eet, but also deliver better business
performance. Meritor full-cast drums provide greater
uptime and reduced maintenance, working longer
hours and earning higher profi tability.
Correct metallurgical makeup, certifi ed machined
tolerance levels and manufacturing according to
ISO-certifi ed processes, combined with dynamometer
testing, give the assurance of a high-quality product
that will perform for many years of profi table service.
Equally important, the Meritor full-cast drum is
supported by complete warranty coverage.
Ideal applications for full-cast brake drums are
short-haul applications in which higher fuel costs
are offset by lower equipment costs and reduced
annual maintenance. These short-haul applications
include dump truck hauling, construction, refuse,
severe service, cement mixers, logging, mining
and other hauling that frequently involves traveling
off-highway.
The Meritor full-cast drum is manufactured
from premium-grade cast iron using state-of-
the-art casting and machining facilities to meet
ArvinMeritor’s exacting quality and engineering
standards. Rigorous testing and high-tolerance
machining deliver optimum braking performance,
signifi cantly reducing the risk of brake shudder and
ensuring longer life of both drums and linings.
Excellent performance and uniformity at an
economical price is a distinct advantage of the
Meritor full-cast drum. And beyond the initial
cost, Meritor full-cast drums keep on saving you
money – with the durability to deliver the payload
your business needs, year in and year out, while
keeping maintenance at a minimum.
What are the main advantages/disadvantages of import full-cast drums?
Import drums can also offer a lower price, but there are
key disadvantages with this option as well.
When ordering, import drums often require much longer
lead times because they are manufactured overseas.
Consequently, inventories are often infl ated, which can
create unexpected delays in shipping deadlines.
Even more important is the absence of regulated
quality manufacturing controls. This lack of regulations
can cause problems in product performance.
Why are genuine Meritor full-cast drums a better option than import full-cast drums?
Genuine Meritor full-cast drums provide many benefi ts
and advantages, from delivery to dependability to
durability. First, shorter lead times allow inventory
levels that can improve your delivery schedules.
Second, genuine Meritor full-cast drums are
designed and manufactured to meet engineering-
approved specifi cations, which ensures original
equipment performance.
Equally important, with genuine Meritor full-cast drums,
you have the advantage of complete warranty coverage
and support.
What about drums with machine-drilled mounting holes?
Meritor full-cast drums are produced with both
machine-drilled and cast-in mounting holes – to fi t
either type of mounting.
The current mounting standard is hub-piloted. The
other type of mounting, stud-piloted, is not the
current standard.
Machine-drilled holes are commonly used in stud-
piloted applications but can also be used in hub-
piloted applications. Cast-mounted holes are used
on drums that are hub-piloted and normally are cast
larger than a machine hole would be. These holes
are not used to center the drum on the hub and
should not be used for that purpose.
ArvinMeritor manufactures a range of drums with
either type of hole, and most are interchangeable.
Frequently Asked Questions.
There are many different kinds of brake drums available.
These FAQs are designed to outline Meritor® full-cast
brake drums vs. other full-cast drum options.
Why purchase a Meritor full-cast brake drum vs. other available options?
In heavy-duty applications where strength and durability
are essential and weight savings are not crucial, genuine
Meritor full-cast brake drums can be the best option.
The combination of advantages provided by Meritor
full-cast brake drums have been proven year after
year to work well in many vocational and off-highway
applications.
When are the strengths of full-cast brake drums absolutely needed?
Certain applications are ideal for full-cast brake drums,
and some are not. The heavier weight of the full-cast
drums adds to the overall weight of the vehicle, reducing
the potential payload. If hauling long-distance loads is
the norm for your operation, the upfront investment in a
lightweight drum, such as the SteelLite X30,™ could be
benefi cial when considering payload capacity.
If your application requires higher heat dissipation or
frequent stops, full-cast drums may be the right choice.
Meritor full-cast drums provide excellent strength and
durability at a low cost.
What are the main alternatives to full-cast brake drums?
In addition to industry-standard genuine Meritor full-
cast drums, there are other full-cast drum options,
including value drums and import drums. Value
drums can offer a lower price, but have a number
of disadvantages associated with them. Similarly,
import brake drums can offer a value price, but
present a different set of disadvantages.
The lightweight drums are available for certain
applications, but require careful selection in order to
ensure adequate durability.
What are the main advantages/disadvantages of value cast drums?
Value cast drums can offer a lower price, but there
are several recognized disadvantages.
First, value drums are often cast without a squealer
band, or with a very small squealer band. A squealer
band is a band of extra material found on genuine
full-cast drums that adds the extra strength needed
to assure long-lasting durability and long-lasting
service for your business operation. The absence of
a squealer band can also take away the Machine-
to-Balance option, which genuine Meritor full-cast
drums use to assure smooth performance.
Another disadvantage of value drums is that less
material is used to make them, so that each value
drum weighs about 8 to 9 pounds less.
The additional mass in a standard full-cast brake
drum provides greater absorption of the heat
created during braking than a lighter drum does.
The full-cast drum absorbs the heat during braking
and transfers it away from the brake lining material
to keep the lining from overheating so that good
braking performance is maintained.
Lighter full-cast drums react differently to extreme
braking heat, and when they cannot absorb or
transfer the heat successfully, they can show
evidence of drum failure by cracking, by becoming
distorted, by failing prematurely, by reduced lining life
or by exhibiting poor fade recovery time.
An added problem with value drums is the absence
of strict quality controls in manufacturing, which can
result in faulty metallurgical makeup. This inherent
weakness in metallurgy can result in increased
maintenance while reducing durability.
Why are genuine Meritor full-cast drums a better option than value cast drums?
Strength and durability are two advantages that
enable fl eets to receive the full value of their
investment in drum technology. With genuine Meritor
full-cast drums, there is no question that long life
and solid performance will not only return the full
value to the fl eet, but also deliver better business
performance. Meritor full-cast drums provide greater
uptime and reduced maintenance, working longer
hours and earning higher profi tability.
Correct metallurgical makeup, certifi ed machined
tolerance levels and manufacturing according to
ISO-certifi ed processes, combined with dynamometer
testing, give the assurance of a high-quality product
that will perform for many years of profi table service.
Equally important, the Meritor full-cast drum is
supported by complete warranty coverage.
Ideal applications for full-cast brake drums are
short-haul applications in which higher fuel costs
are offset by lower equipment costs and reduced
annual maintenance. These short-haul applications
include dump truck hauling, construction, refuse,
severe service, cement mixers, logging, mining
and other hauling that frequently involves traveling
off-highway.
The Meritor full-cast drum is manufactured
from premium-grade cast iron using state-of-
the-art casting and machining facilities to meet
ArvinMeritor’s exacting quality and engineering
standards. Rigorous testing and high-tolerance
machining deliver optimum braking performance,
signifi cantly reducing the risk of brake shudder and
ensuring longer life of both drums and linings.
Excellent performance and uniformity at an
economical price is a distinct advantage of the
Meritor full-cast drum. And beyond the initial
cost, Meritor full-cast drums keep on saving you
money – with the durability to deliver the payload
your business needs, year in and year out, while
keeping maintenance at a minimum.
What are the main advantages/disadvantages of import full-cast drums?
Import drums can also offer a lower price, but there are
key disadvantages with this option as well.
When ordering, import drums often require much longer
lead times because they are manufactured overseas.
Consequently, inventories are often infl ated, which can
create unexpected delays in shipping deadlines.
Even more important is the absence of regulated
quality manufacturing controls. This lack of regulations
can cause problems in product performance.
Why are genuine Meritor full-cast drums a better option than import full-cast drums?
Genuine Meritor full-cast drums provide many benefi ts
and advantages, from delivery to dependability to
durability. First, shorter lead times allow inventory
levels that can improve your delivery schedules.
Second, genuine Meritor full-cast drums are
designed and manufactured to meet engineering-
approved specifi cations, which ensures original
equipment performance.
Equally important, with genuine Meritor full-cast drums,
you have the advantage of complete warranty coverage
and support.
What about drums with machine-drilled mounting holes?
Meritor full-cast drums are produced with both
machine-drilled and cast-in mounting holes – to fi t
either type of mounting.
The current mounting standard is hub-piloted. The
other type of mounting, stud-piloted, is not the
current standard.
Machine-drilled holes are commonly used in stud-
piloted applications but can also be used in hub-
piloted applications. Cast-mounted holes are used
on drums that are hub-piloted and normally are cast
larger than a machine hole would be. These holes
are not used to center the drum on the hub and
should not be used for that purpose.
ArvinMeritor manufactures a range of drums with
either type of hole, and most are interchangeable.
Frequently Asked Questions.
There are many different kinds of brake drums available.
These FAQs are designed to outline Meritor® full-cast
brake drums vs. other full-cast drum options.
Why purchase a Meritor full-cast brake drum vs. other available options?
In heavy-duty applications where strength and durability
are essential and weight savings are not crucial, genuine
Meritor full-cast brake drums can be the best option.
The combination of advantages provided by Meritor
full-cast brake drums have been proven year after
year to work well in many vocational and off-highway
applications.
When are the strengths of full-cast brake drums absolutely needed?
Certain applications are ideal for full-cast brake drums,
and some are not. The heavier weight of the full-cast
drums adds to the overall weight of the vehicle, reducing
the potential payload. If hauling long-distance loads is
the norm for your operation, the upfront investment in a
lightweight drum, such as the SteelLite X30,™ could be
benefi cial when considering payload capacity.
If your application requires higher heat dissipation or
frequent stops, full-cast drums may be the right choice.
Meritor full-cast drums provide excellent strength and
durability at a low cost.
What are the main alternatives to full-cast brake drums?
In addition to industry-standard genuine Meritor full-
cast drums, there are other full-cast drum options,
including value drums and import drums. Value
drums can offer a lower price, but have a number
of disadvantages associated with them. Similarly,
import brake drums can offer a value price, but
present a different set of disadvantages.
The lightweight drums are available for certain
applications, but require careful selection in order to
ensure adequate durability.
What are the main advantages/disadvantages of value cast drums?
Value cast drums can offer a lower price, but there
are several recognized disadvantages.
First, value drums are often cast without a squealer
band, or with a very small squealer band. A squealer
band is a band of extra material found on genuine
full-cast drums that adds the extra strength needed
to assure long-lasting durability and long-lasting
service for your business operation. The absence of
a squealer band can also take away the Machine-
to-Balance option, which genuine Meritor full-cast
drums use to assure smooth performance.
Another disadvantage of value drums is that less
material is used to make them, so that each value
drum weighs about 8 to 9 pounds less.
The additional mass in a standard full-cast brake
drum provides greater absorption of the heat
created during braking than a lighter drum does.
The full-cast drum absorbs the heat during braking
and transfers it away from the brake lining material
to keep the lining from overheating so that good
braking performance is maintained.
Lighter full-cast drums react differently to extreme
braking heat, and when they cannot absorb or
transfer the heat successfully, they can show
evidence of drum failure by cracking, by becoming
distorted, by failing prematurely, by reduced lining life
or by exhibiting poor fade recovery time.
An added problem with value drums is the absence
of strict quality controls in manufacturing, which can
result in faulty metallurgical makeup. This inherent
weakness in metallurgy can result in increased
maintenance while reducing durability.
Why are genuine Meritor full-cast drums a better option than value cast drums?
Strength and durability are two advantages that
enable fl eets to receive the full value of their
investment in drum technology. With genuine Meritor
full-cast drums, there is no question that long life
and solid performance will not only return the full
value to the fl eet, but also deliver better business
performance. Meritor full-cast drums provide greater
uptime and reduced maintenance, working longer
hours and earning higher profi tability.
Correct metallurgical makeup, certifi ed machined
tolerance levels and manufacturing according to
ISO-certifi ed processes, combined with dynamometer
testing, give the assurance of a high-quality product
that will perform for many years of profi table service.
Equally important, the Meritor full-cast drum is
supported by complete warranty coverage.
Ideal applications for full-cast brake drums are
short-haul applications in which higher fuel costs
are offset by lower equipment costs and reduced
annual maintenance. These short-haul applications
include dump truck hauling, construction, refuse,
severe service, cement mixers, logging, mining
and other hauling that frequently involves traveling
off-highway.
The Meritor full-cast drum is manufactured
from premium-grade cast iron using state-of-
the-art casting and machining facilities to meet
ArvinMeritor’s exacting quality and engineering
standards. Rigorous testing and high-tolerance
machining deliver optimum braking performance,
signifi cantly reducing the risk of brake shudder and
ensuring longer life of both drums and linings.
Excellent performance and uniformity at an
economical price is a distinct advantage of the
Meritor full-cast drum. And beyond the initial
cost, Meritor full-cast drums keep on saving you
money – with the durability to deliver the payload
your business needs, year in and year out, while
keeping maintenance at a minimum.
What are the main advantages/disadvantages of import full-cast drums?
Import drums can also offer a lower price, but there are
key disadvantages with this option as well.
When ordering, import drums often require much longer
lead times because they are manufactured overseas.
Consequently, inventories are often infl ated, which can
create unexpected delays in shipping deadlines.
Even more important is the absence of regulated
quality manufacturing controls. This lack of regulations
can cause problems in product performance.
Why are genuine Meritor full-cast drums a better option than import full-cast drums?
Genuine Meritor full-cast drums provide many benefi ts
and advantages, from delivery to dependability to
durability. First, shorter lead times allow inventory
levels that can improve your delivery schedules.
Second, genuine Meritor full-cast drums are
designed and manufactured to meet engineering-
approved specifi cations, which ensures original
equipment performance.
Equally important, with genuine Meritor full-cast drums,
you have the advantage of complete warranty coverage
and support.
What about drums with machine-drilled mounting holes?
Meritor full-cast drums are produced with both
machine-drilled and cast-in mounting holes – to fi t
either type of mounting.
The current mounting standard is hub-piloted. The
other type of mounting, stud-piloted, is not the
current standard.
Machine-drilled holes are commonly used in stud-
piloted applications but can also be used in hub-
piloted applications. Cast-mounted holes are used
on drums that are hub-piloted and normally are cast
larger than a machine hole would be. These holes
are not used to center the drum on the hub and
should not be used for that purpose.
ArvinMeritor manufactures a range of drums with
either type of hole, and most are interchangeable.
Frequently Asked Questions.
The resulting Meritor SteelLite X30, with its one-
piece roll-formed steel shell design, proved to
be the ideal solution. This proven drum design
combines lighter weight with the strength of
steel, plus the inherent strength and durability
of a one-piece unit that delivers superior
concentricity and better balance. This one-piece
solution (which requires no welding) is the
result of ArvinMeritor’s expertise in engineering,
metallurgy and manufacturing – advantages that
produce superior results on the job.
Want enduring fl eet effi ciency? Let’s talk.
Genuine Meritor full-
cast brake drums
meet the needs
of customers who
want the durable
performance
of engineering-
approved quality
cast drums, but do not need to be overly concerned
about vehicle weight. In addition, Meritor full-cast
drums require less maintenance, which contributes
to the profi table performance your operation needs
year in and year out. For more information, call
our customer service team at 888-725-9355 or
visit arvinmeritor.com.
MERITOR® BR AKE DRUMSFREQUENTLY ASKED QUEST IONS
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC7975 Dixie Highway
Florence, Kentucky 41042 USA888-725-9355
XpresswayPlus.arvinmeritor.comarvinmeritor.com
Litho in USAIssued 12-09SP-1007 (13028/11900)©2009 ArvinMeritor, Inc.
AF
TER
MA
RK
ET
What defi nes a lightweight drum, and what are my options?
Typically, lightweight drums include several
alternatives to the traditional full-cast drum. Most
are composite steel shells or cast lightweight.
Some composite steel shell drums consist of two
steel halves that are welded together to form a single
drum. This reduces the weight vs. full-cast, but may
create other problems, including balance issues
created by the welds, which can affect operating
performance. External weights are often used to
assist in correcting the balance issues, but these can
increase the overall weight of the drum. If weld-on
weights come loose, they can also lead to vibration
and component wear concerns.
Other lightweight drum options include the use of
standard gray cast iron. However, the weight savings
is a result of removing material or reducing section
thickness in the drum’s design. Removing weight
from a standard cast drum may affect its strength
characteristics which can lead to reduced durability.
In designing the ideal lightweight drum solution, the
highly experienced engineering team at ArvinMeritor
agreed that a one-piece design that maintains
structural integrity would be ideal, especially when
manufactured from material that combines strength
and light weight.
The resulting Meritor SteelLite X30, with its one-
piece roll-formed steel shell design, proved to
be the ideal solution. This proven drum design
combines lighter weight with the strength of
steel, plus the inherent strength and durability
of a one-piece unit that delivers superior
concentricity and better balance. This one-piece
solution (which requires no welding) is the
result of ArvinMeritor’s expertise in engineering,
metallurgy and manufacturing – advantages that
produce superior results on the job.
Want enduring fl eet effi ciency? Let’s talk.
Genuine Meritor full-
cast brake drums
meet the needs
of customers who
want the durable
performance
of engineering-
approved quality
cast drums, but do not need to be overly concerned
about vehicle weight. In addition, Meritor full-cast
drums require less maintenance, which contributes
to the profi table performance your operation needs
year in and year out. For more information, call
our customer service team at 888-725-9355 or
visit arvinmeritor.com.
MERITOR® BR AKE DRUMSFREQUENTLY ASKED QUEST IONS
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC7975 Dixie Highway
Florence, Kentucky 41042 USA888-725-9355
XpresswayPlus.arvinmeritor.comarvinmeritor.com
Litho in USAIssued 12-09SP-1007 (13028/11900)©2009 ArvinMeritor, Inc.
AF
TER
MA
RK
ET
What defi nes a lightweight drum, and what are my options?
Typically, lightweight drums include several
alternatives to the traditional full-cast drum. Most
are composite steel shells or cast lightweight.
Some composite steel shell drums consist of two
steel halves that are welded together to form a single
drum. This reduces the weight vs. full-cast, but may
create other problems, including balance issues
created by the welds, which can affect operating
performance. External weights are often used to
assist in correcting the balance issues, but these can
increase the overall weight of the drum. If weld-on
weights come loose, they can also lead to vibration
and component wear concerns.
Other lightweight drum options include the use of
standard gray cast iron. However, the weight savings
is a result of removing material or reducing section
thickness in the drum’s design. Removing weight
from a standard cast drum may affect its strength
characteristics which can lead to reduced durability.
In designing the ideal lightweight drum solution, the
highly experienced engineering team at ArvinMeritor
agreed that a one-piece design that maintains
structural integrity would be ideal, especially when
manufactured from material that combines strength
and light weight.
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