Abstract: The invention is a method of manufacturing a composite drum ring and a composite brake drum having a drum ring. The invention is a method of manufacturing a brake drum ring. An annular band is provided, which is formed by any suitable known method. A cast metal insert is cast in the radially inner surface of the band. Upon casting the molten metal is cooled to an initial solidification temperature to at least partially solidify the molten metal, followed by hot rolling the drum band to reduce the roundness run out of the composite drum ring. The hot rolling operation includes rotating the drum band, providing a roll forming roll and applying the roll forming roll against the radially outer surface of the rotating drum band. A feedback sensor may by provided for determining the roundness run out of the composite drum ring. The hot rolling step may include adjusting the force applied to the roll forming roll in proportion to the roundness run out.

Abstract: In a vehicle wheel hub bearing unit and brake arrangement, the bearing forms a rotating radial flange (11) adapted for securing to a radial flange (12) of a brake member and rotate fixedly therewith. The brake member flange (12) is located substantially in the same radial plane of the bearing flange (11) and secured directly to the peripheral portion thereof. A form or splined connection (13, 14) couples the flanges (11, 12) in non-rotatable manner. The hub bearing flange (11) has a shoulder (15, 135) radially protruding from the axially inner side thereof so as to provide an axially inner abutment for the brake member flange (12). The brake member flange (12) is axially restrained from axial outward motion by the wheel rim (16, 21).

Abstract: A disc or drum brake member is usually connected to the flange of the bearing of a motor vehicle wheel; possible manufacturing errors in the flange of the bearing, and/or the brake member cause, on tightening the wheel to the flange, deformations in the bearing tracks and the active surfaces of the brake member; to avoid this, an elastically-yielding connection element is interposed, connected to the bearing on one side and the brake member on the other side, and constituted by a bell of sheet metal, dimensioned to present a high torsional rigidity associated with a limited axial rigidity to absorb and neutralise the tensions produced on tightening the screws holding the wheel to the flange of the bearing, even in the presence of manufacturing errors on the corresponding facing surfaces of the parts to be joined.

Abstract: An improved ductile iron vehicle hub and method for producing the same wherein the method includes the steps of (a) providing a vehicle hub formed from ductile iron and including a generally axially extending body having a centrally located opening formed therethrough, the body including an open inner end, an open outer end, and a generally radially outwardly extending flange; and (b) shot peening selected outer surfaces of the body of the vehicle hub to induce compressive stresses therein to improve the fatigue life the vehicle hub.

Abstract: An improved method for final balancing a brake drum determines the location and length of a first constant depth cut and a second constant depth cut along the squealer band which are necessary to correct the imbalance, and using a cutting machine, makes the first and second constant depth cuts at the predetermined location and for the predetermined length along the squealer band to produce a final balanced brake drum. Preferably, the cutting machine is a milling machine which produces a plunge type entrance/exit cut. It is a further feature of the invention to provide a feather type entrance/exit cut to reduce the stress concentrations, and produce a cosmetically more appealing final balanced brake drum.

Abstract: A brake drum cooling device for forcing air across the exterior surface of a brake drum when the brake drum rotates, thereby dissipating heat therefrom, includes an elongated band secured in an end-to-end manner externally around a brake drum. The elongated band includes a plurality of air scoops formed unitarily thereon wherein each of the air scoops capture and direct air across the exterior surface of the brake drum when the brake drum is rotated in a forward direction.

Abstract: A braking component such as a brake pad, brake rotor, brake drum or clutch disk is comprised of a metal substrate having a friction material laminated on at least a portion of at least one face of the metal substrate, the friction material being a ceramic-metal composite comprised of a metal phase and a ceramic phase dispersed within each other, wherein the ceramic phase is present in an amount of at least about 20% by volume of the ceramic-metal composite. In particular, the braking component is a metal substrate, such as aluminum, having laminated thereto a ceramic-metal composite of a dense boron carbide-aluminum composite having high specific heat and low density.

Abstract: In the ventilated holes of the brake ventilated rotor are formed seven thick portions each having equal mass and separated at an equal distance in the circumferential direction from a reference line which is an arbitrary diameter, six thick portions each having equal mass and separated at an equal distance in the circumferential direction from the same reference line, five thick portions each having equal mass and separated at an equal distance in the circumferential direction from the same reference line, and four thick portions each having equal mass and separated at an equal distance in the circumferential direction from the same reference line. In other words, in the ventilating holes of the ventilated rotor are formed a plurality of thick portions which can be classified into four groups, each group having equal mass. The thick portions in respective groups are arranged at an equal distance in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A composite brake drum for a motor vehicle or the like is comprised of a cast metal drum section, a stamped steel drum back, and a cast metal mounting face. The drum section and mounting face are preferably formed of cast iron. The composite drum of the invention provides a reduction in weight and in the amount of machining required as compared with a full cast brake drum. At the same time, the composite brake drum of the invention permits an increase in the thickness of the mounting face as compared with conventional composite brake drums, allowing motor vehicle manufacturers to use the same hubs and keep the vehicle track the same regardless of whether a particular vehicle includes a disc/drum or a disc/disc brake system.

Abstract: A tape correction plate and method of using the correction plate to correct for lateral runout of a disc brake rotor is described. The tapered correction plate is installed between the hub and brake rotor of an automobile such that the thinnest portion of the correction plate is aligned with the angular position on the hub and rotor corresponding to the maximum lateral runout. The mounting geometry of the correction plate may include any one of a number of configurations including circular openings, slotted openings having a smooth or gear-like perimeter, or an outer perimeter defining a gear like shape or open-ended "half slots." Each type of mounting geometry is suitable for mating with existing lug patterns while enabling adjustment of the angular orientation of the correction plate with respect to the hub and rotor. The correction plate may also consist of one washer or a number of washers with appropriately varying thicknesses that are arranged to correct runout.

Abstract: A brake drum for mounting on a wheel hub has first and second drum pilots for facilitating proper alignment when installing the brake drum on the hub. The first drum pilot is configured to engage a first hub pilot and the second drum pilot is configured to engage a second hub pilot. When the brake drum is initially moved toward the hub during installation, the first drum pilot engages the first hub pilot and the second drum pilot is sufficiently spaced away from the first hub pilot to prevent the front edge of the second drum pilot from being caught on the corner edge of the second hub pilot and the drum becoming eccentrically mounted.

Abstract: A braking system for an automotive vehicle is provided which comprises, in combination, a wheel having a specifically-defined wheel rim for mounting a tire thereon, and a specifically-defined disc carrying the wheel rim for mounting the wheel upon a wheel support of the automotive vehicle. A cylindrical support is secured to the wheel. Radially-inwardly facing arcuate brake lining structures are secured to the cylindrical support. Brake shoes are mounted upon a non-rotatable part of the automotive vehicle in spaced positions around the rotational axis of the wheel support. A pressurized-fluid operating system of a specifically-defined structure is provided for moving the brake shoes in a braking action radially-outwardly from inactive positions towards, and frictionally-engaging, the brake lining structures, and for returning the brake shoes radially-inwardly to the inactive positions upon termination of said braking action.

Abstract: An improved structure for a brake drum adapted for use in a drum brake assembly includes a generally closed outer end, a generally axially extending cylindrical main body, and an open inner end. The closed outer end of the brake drum includes a centrally located wheel spindle opening formed therein, and a plurality of lug bolt mounting holes spaced circumferentially around the wheel spindle opening. The cylindrical main body of the brake drum includes a plurality of generally axially extending raised ribs provided on an outer surface thereof. Preferably, the ribs define at least three distinct strengthened areas on the brake drum.

Abstract: An improved method for producing a final balanced and noise suppressing brake drum including a generally closed outer end, a generally axially extending cylindrical main body, and an open inner end. The closed outer end of the brake drum includes a centrally located wheel spindle opening formed therein, and a plurality of lug bolt mounting holes spaced circumferentially around the wheel spindle opening. The cylindrical main body of the brake drum is formed during a casting operation and includes a plurality of discrete raised segments formed on an outer surface thereof. Preferably, at least three raised segments are provided on an outer surface of the brake drum, and at least two of the three segments are spaced apart from one another by generally equal angles. The discrete raised segments are provided at predetermined locations on the outer surface to reduce brake noise and are selectively machined during a machining operation to produce a final balanced brake drum.

Abstract: A composite brake drum for use in a drum brake assembly includes a one-piece mounting flange and shell and a liner cast integrally in a shell portion thereof. The method for forming the composite brake drum of this invention includes the steps of: (a) providing a generally flat sheet of a first material; (b) forming the flat sheet into a generally flat circular blank; (c) subjecting to the blank to a series of metal forming operations to produce a one piece mounting flange and shell; and (d) casting a liner formed from a second material within the one-piece mounting flange and shell to thereby produce the composite brake drum.

Abstract: A parking brake assembly includes a lever that translates pivoting rotation to sliding movement of a tappet in contact with a braking shoe to effect expansion of the brake shoe against the inside diameter of a rotating element. The rotating element is, in more specificity, a rotor carried by a spindle that is rotatably supported by bearings. The bearings are carried by the actuator housing which additionally carries the lever and tappet of the parking brake assembly.

Abstract: A media autochanger flipping assembly which includes a base unit and a media holder unit which is rotatably attached to the base unit. A brake drum is fixedly attached to one of the base unit and the media holder unit 14. A brake drum engager is attached to the other of the base unit and the media holder unit. The brake drum and brake engager co-act to produce a torque on the media holder which resists rotation in the flip direction and thus controls the flip speed of the media holder unit.

Abstract: A braking method and apparatus wherein a rotating mechanism includes a deformable rotor carried by the rotating mechanism with pressure rollers suitable to contact the exterior of the deformable rotor and apply pressure to deform the rotor and thus cause the deformed rotor to resist rotation, resulting in a braking action.

Abstract: Uniformly distributed compressive stresses are induced in the machined surfaces of brake drums and brake rotors. The compressive stresses cancel residual tensile stresses induced in the surfaces by machining operations during fabrication. Cancellation of the surface tensile stresses delays formation of cracks during service brake use and extends the service life of the brake drum or rotor. Shot peening is an applicable prestressing process which also imparts a surface roughness that reduces the time required to burnish brake pads to match the shape of the drum or rotor surface. The reduction of burnishing time reduces the amount of surface cracking caused by surface heating by brake pad high spots as the high spots are ground down.

Abstract: An improved method for final balancing the brake drum determines the location and length of a constant depth cut along the squealer band which is necessary to correct the imbalance, and using a cutting machine, makes the constant depth cut at the predetermined location and for the predetermined length along the squealer band to produce a final balanced brake drum. Preferably, the cutting machine is a milling machine which produces a plunge type entrance/exit cut. It is a further feature of the invention to provide a feather type entrance/exit cut to reduce the stress concentrations, and produce a cosmetically more appealing final balanced brake drum.

Abstract: A brake drum and wheel assembly having a reduced heat transfer coefficient having an insulating ring formed in a flange section of the wheel disposed to be clamped against a drum extension attached to a cylindrical main drum. In an alternate embodiment, the drum extension is coated with a thermal insulating material such that a layer of the insulating material is disposed between the wheel flange section and the drum extension.

Abstract: A brake drum assembly with a cylindrical brake drum having an open end and a flanged end and an axis of rotation where an annular squealer band is formed on the brake drum approximately adjacent to the flanged end. A plurality of fracture apertures are formed in the squealer band and axially extend through the squealer band parallel to the axis of rotation of the brake drum. The fracture apertures are randomly circumferentially spaced along the squealer band and/or randomly angled relative to the axis of rotation. The squealer band is then cracked from the fracture apertures radially outward to the outer surface of the squealer band thereby providing friction dampening as vibration in the brake drum and squealer band cause relative motion within each crack. In an alternative embodiment, fracture apertures are formed in the brake drum adjacent to the open end and oriented radially inward where the brake drum is cracked from each fracture aperture toward the open end.

Abstract: A cylindrical brake drum including a flanged end and an open end having a squealer band in the shape of an annular ring and a multiplicity of chill fins irregularly spaced one to another and/or relative to a plurality of equally spaced airflow channels where the chill fins are cast into the squealer band and the outside surface of the brake drum where the chill fins are generally of a constant height with respect to the outside surface and then moving axially outward decrease in height to meet the outside surface and cause any casting porosities to move to a central region of the squealer band thereby reducing drum cracking due to localized hot spots thereby greatly improving the brake drum fatigue strength while minimizing the increase in overall weight and facilitating ease of manufacture.

Abstract: A drum brake spring clip dampener for reducing the level of brake squeal noise where the spring clip dampener includes a leaf spring disposed into a gap formed between a wheel rim and the outer surface of an annular brake drum where the leaf spring is held in position by a holding clip extending from the leaf spring center section over a squealer band to engage the inner face of the squealer band with a hook section where the spring clip dampener introduces a separation force and increased vibration dampening.

Abstract: A composite brake disc and drum assembly for a motor vehicle having a rear disc brake system and a parking brake system. The assembly includes a body of a first material having a mounting web, a skirt and a flange. The skirt extends from the perimeter of the mounting web and cooperates therewith to define a brake drum. The skirt has an inside surface which defines a cylindrical braking friction surface for engagement with the parking brake shoe. The flange extends outward from the skirt and at least one annular plate is supported by the flange so as to extend in a plane generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The plate includes a surface defining an annular braking friction surface for engagement with the disc brake pads.

Abstract: A drum brake spring clip dampener for reducing the level of brake squeal noise where the spring clip dampener includes a leaf spring disposed into a gap formed between a wheel rim and an annular brake drum squealer band and where the leaf spring is held in position by two inner tabs and an outer tab where the spring clip dampener thereby introduces a separation force and vibration dampening.

Abstract: A cylindrical brake drum including a flanged end and an open end having a radially extending annular extension ring acting as a squealer band and a multiplicity of chill fins irregularly spaced one to another and/or relative to a plurality of equally spaced airflow channels where the chill fins are cast as part of the extension ring and the outside surface of the brake drum where the chill fins are of a substantially constant height relative to the brake drum and act to reduce the size and number of any casting porosities and further move the porosities away from the friction surface of the brake drum thereby improving fatigue strength. A multiplicity of cooling fins are formed on the inboard side of the extension ring. In an alternative embodiment, the extension ring can be formed as a wing which axially extends from the brake drum having a multiplicity of chill fins formed on its outer surface.

Abstract: A device for reducing the level of brake squeal noise having a damper ring disposed between a brake drum and a vehicle wheel rim where one or more friction springs extend from a retention band to form the damper ring with its axial position relative to the wheel set by a stop flange attached to the retention band and where the friction springs contact the squealer band of the brake drum with a separation force thereby creating friction damping on the squealer band to lower vibration and resultant noise levels produced by the brake drum.

Abstract: A unitary hub and exciter ring for a motor vehicle equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS). The exciter ring is unitarily formed in the hub by machining grooves into the exterior surface of the hub and creating spaced teeth about the circumference of the hub. To ensure roundness and concentricity in the hub, and to ensure close tolerances in spacing between the ABS sensor and the teeth, machining is gaged off of bearing cups mounted within the internal bore of the hub.

Abstract: An integral hub and exciter ring is disclosed for a motor vehicle equipped with an anti-lock braking system in which the exciter ring is integrally formed with the hub by machining grooves into the hub forming spaced teeth about the circumference of the hub. To improve the magnetic permeability of the teeth as compared to the cast iron of the hub, a steel band is insert cast into the hub resulting in a steel band having improved magnetic permeability and also being molecularly bonded to the cast iron to ensure retention of the band in the hub.

Abstract: A composite brake drum particularly adapted for motor vehicle applications. The brake drum includes a reinforcement assembly embedded within the cylindrical portion of the drum. The reinforcement assembly is preferably made from steel wire stock and includes a plurality of circular rings or loops spaced axially within the brake drum cylindrical portion. Axially extending locator wires are mechanically fastened to the reinforcing loops and serve to locate the loops. End portions on the locator wires contact only one of the mold halves forming the mold cavity and enable the device to be essentially self-locating without crossing the parting line of the mold. The end portion of the locator wires contacting the radially outer side of the mold cavity is formed with a spring bar to enable the locator wires to move outward as the reinforcing loops are thermally expanded during the casting process.

Abstract: A composite brake drum for motor vehicle applications incorporating an embedded annular ring insert. The annular ring is positioned within a casting cavity to define the surfaces of a labrynth groove at the open rim of the brake drum. The labrynth groove defines a region for a backing plate flange to define a labrynth seal to prevent entry of debris into the brake drum. By defining the labrynth groove using an annular ring inserted within the mold, the post-casting machining requirements are significantly reduced. Moreover, the presence of a steel ring in the rim of the brake drum provides structural benefits. The annular ring further preferably incorporates locating features to assure accurate positioning within the casting mold cavity.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the frictional wear properties, performance and life of a graphitic cast iron brake drum. The surfaces of the drum which are frictionally engaged by brake shoes, are cold worked by subjecting them to shot peening at an intensity level sufficient to induce surface and near surface residual stress, to thereby increase the resistance of said graphitic cast iron to scuffing and heat checking under conditions of dry sliding contact and frictional loading.

Abstract: A brake disk according to the present invention incorporates a large number of air ducts defined in a disk portion having opposite sides to be clamped between friction pads, with the air ducts extending radially through the disk portion, and a plurality of joining portions formed on a mounting flange portion at circumferential distances and joined to a wheel hub by bolts. The disk portion is formed so that the heat capacity thereof is larger in an area nearer to the joining portions and smaller in an area more remote from the joining portions. The distance between adjacent ones of a large number of partitions defining the air ducts can be smaller in a location nearer to the joining portions and larger in a location more remote from the joining portions. Alternatively, a large number of partitions defining the air ducts are formed so that the ones nearer to the joining portions are larger in wall thickness and the partitions more remote from the joining portions are smaller in wall thickness.

Abstract: A composite brake drum particularly adapted for motor vehicle applications. The brake drum includes a reiforcement assembly enclosed within the cylindrical portion of the drum. The reinforcement assembly is preferably made from steel wire stock and includes a plurality of circular loops spaced axially within the brake drum cylindrical portion. Axially extending locator wires are mechanically fastened to the reinforcing loops and serve to locate the loops. End portions on the locator wire contact only one of the mold halves forming the mold cavity and enable the device to be essentially self-locating without crossing the parting line of the mold. By not crossing the parting line, the position of the loops is maintained within acceptable tolerance limits from the finished friction surface of the drum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle brake and hub comprising a ring braking member having braking surfaces both to the interior and exterior of the member in combination with a cast hub which includes centrally disposed aligned bearing ports for receiving bearings. The cast hub includes an outwardly exposed securing surface which cooperates with the ring braking member to effect securement of the braking member to the casting and in a manner to accommodate heat transfer therebetween. The cast hub includes intermediate the securing surface and the aligned ports, fan blades which cause during rotation of the hub an axial flow of air to move across the bearing ports and to extract heat from the fan blades and the securing surface. The fan blade collectively interconnect and structurally secure the securing surface and the bearing ports.

Abstract: A rotor for an eddy current type retarder produces a brake force by producing eddy current using magnets mounted on a stationary member of the retarder. The rotor is mounted on a rotatable shaft and faces the magnets. The base member is made from a material containing steel. A thin film is formed on that face of the base member which faces the magnets. The film is made from a material containing rust-preventative material. A plurality of fins are formed on the base member by casting, using a material of good castability, with the base member as an insert. The rotor can be manufactured inexpensively and has the same characteristics as a rotor made from low-carbon-made steel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake disc or brake drum or else the combination of both. The brake discs are provided with rotationally symmetrical braking areas and a removable, anti-corrosive coating. The coating completely covers the surface of the brake disc. Between the coating and the braking area there is applied a peelable, adhesive piece which is cut to size from a sheet material and completely covers the braking area.

Abstract: A composite brake drum particularly adapted for motor vehicle applications. The brake drum includes a reinforcement assembly embedded within the cylindrical portion of the drum. The reinforcement assembly is preferably made from steel wire stock and includes a plurality of circular closed rings spaced axially within the brake drum cylindrical portion. axially extending locator wires are mechanically fastened to the reinforcing rings and serve to locate the rings. Loops can be formed on the locator wires for positioning the reinforcement assembly within a casting mold cavity to enable the device to be essentially self-locating within the mold. The composite brake drum is fabricated by pouring iron into the mold and then finish machining operations are performed.

Abstract: An elongated generally frusto-conical strip having spaced-apart fins formed thereon is adapted for installation within the brake drum of a heavy duty truck for creating a rush of cooling, drying and cleansing air across the braking surface of the drum in response to rotation of the drum. The strip is installed against the interior surface of the drum exterior wall adjacent the outer periphery thereof and is secured in place by the drum mounting studs or other threaded fasteners inserted through strip mounting holes in radially inward extensions of the strip upon alignment of those holes with the drum mounting holes. An improved brake drum for heavy duty trucks has cooling, drying and cleaning fins integrally formed in the interior surface of a frusto-conical shaped outer portion of the exterior wall of the drum with the fins arranged in spaced relation from the machined braking surface to protect them from contact with the brake shoe.

Abstract: A brake member integrally cast from a single melt and composed of a sliding portion and a hub portion, the sliding portion having a flaky graphite cast iron microstructure with a good damping capacity and the hub portion having a high-strength cast iron microstructure. The sliding portion which may be a drum or a rotor has a damping capacity Q.sup.-1 of higher than 16.times.10.sup.-3. It is manufactured by pouring a melt having a hyper-eutectic flaky graphite cast iron composition into a cavity of a sand mold in which a chiller is embedded adjacent to a cavity region for the hub portion.

Abstract: A drum brake shoe is provided with a plurality of reinforcements which are arranged at irregular intervals on the inner periphery of a rim.

Abstract: An anti-squeal system for a wheel assembly having a brake drum and a tire rim mounted in radial spaced relationship is provided with a separate wedge assembly inserted between the brake drum and the tire rim. The wedge assembly has a pair of pads separated by an inclined block which is slidably movable against the pads to force the pads radially outwardly from each other, to exert a selective pressure simultaneously on both the brake drum and tire rim.

Abstract: A brake drum includes a cylindrical braking drum having a flange end and an opened end and including a plurality of generally axially extending fins around an exterior surface thereof. Each of the fins has radially extending side walls which diverge along the length thereof from the opened end to a widest distance therebetween at a predetermined location from the opened end and converged along the length thereof from the predetermined location to the flange end. Accordingly, adjacent side walls of adjacent fins define a space therebetween which has its narrowest portion at the predetermined location. A steel band is secured to and encircles the braking drum at the predetermined location. The steel band cooperates with the adjacent side walls and the exterior surface of the braking drum to define a cooling air channel at the narrowest portion of each of the spaces.

Abstract: A method of forming a brake drum includes the steps of casting an iron cylindrical braking drum with a flange end and an opened end to include a plurality of generally axially extending fins around an exterior surface thereof. The casting includes providing the fins with radially extending side walls which diverge along a length thereof from the opened end to a widest distance therebetween at a predetermined location from the opened end and converge along the length thereof from the predetermined location to the flange end. Accordingly, adjacent side walls of adjacent fins define a space therebetween having its narrowest portion at the predetermined location. A braking surface is machined about an interior of the cylindrical braking drum. A top of the fins is machined at either side of the predetermined location to include a shoulder at the end thereof away from the opened end.

Abstract: A brake-drum flange is bolted to a wheel disk by an interface surface structure which limits the engagement area and avoids contact around the fastening bolts. In the case of a twin-wheel configuration, the two wheels are placed back-to-back, whereby the contact area has larger diameters than the contact areas between the brake drum and the one-wheel disk.

Abstract: A two piece brake drum for large off-the-road type vehicles having large and difficult-to-remove wheels, the brake drum comprising two substantially semi-circular halves with integral flanges for mounting to a wheel. The internal friction surfaces terminate in chamfers at each end and the halves, when mounted to a wheel, have gaps between the ends through which foreign material may be expelled.

Abstract: Composite brake drums are made by die casting aluminum or other light weight metal around (A) the periphery of a substantially biplanar stamped steel drum back having a plurality of alternating holes and voids in its outermost edge in a plane and (B) a cast iron braking ring with smooth inner braking surface and rough outer surface whereby the lightweight die cast fills the holes and voids and interlocks with the rough outer surface to provide a brake drum of unitary construction that has improved braking performance with reduced weight and cost, especially compared to similar brake drums having a drum back of cast lightweight metal.

Abstract: An offset spindle and spindle support for a mobile home axle is disclosed, in which the wheel spindle is vertically offset with respect to a conventional axle tube. The offset support comprises a generally cup-shaped stamping and utilizes the backing plate of the brake to form a box-section, low-cost high strength offset support for a forged wheel spindle.

Abstract: An asbestos free organic base friction material for use as a friction lining of a brake. A combination of fibers selected from a group consisting of steel, cellulose, glass mineral and rayon fibers and a thermosetting resin binder are combined with cashew nut particles, elastomeric modifiers and inorganic modifiers to produce an organic base friction material having a substantial stable coefficient of friction over the normal operating range of the brake.