cover feature
on a mission
Alfred Teves Brake Systems (ATE), a member of the Metair Group, is a
South African company on a very important mission: to train and upskill
the country’s technicians.
A
TE not only provides invaluable
training at the various Partinform
venues every year, the company also
travels to businesses countrywide, training
technicians on brake systems, for as many
as 200 days in a given year.
ATE brake systems
It is a known fact that cars have become
faster over time and so the need to stop
them has become greater too. Modern brake
systems have electronic control systems to
enhance efficiency but the basic hydraulic
system and foundation brakes of a vehicle
cannot work properly if it’s not inspected,
serviced, and maintained correctly.
ATE’s training programme is
very comprehensive, dealing
with every aspect of the modern
braking system. The duration of a
training session is approximately
three hours, depending on the
amount of questions posed by
participants. Topics include the
brake pedal, vacuum booster,
master cylinder, brake lines, brake
fluid, brake calipers, pads and
discs and brake drum and lining
assemblies, amongst others.
The training is performed by qualified
ATE technical personnel and is a
hands-on experience. Discussions and
recommendations for best practices are
aided by the use of fully-operational visual
aids and functioning test props. The ATE
trainers also highlight the need to use the
correct tools, equipment and products for
whatever job is at hand.
➲ James Shaw, Technical Training Liaison
Officer at Ate and Malatsi Madoda, ATE Sales
Executive provided the staff at SupaQuick Selby
with brake system training in July
Participants are encouraged to ask
questions, while the trainers’ main
objective is to dispel possible untruths
and bad practi ces that have unfortunately
perforated the South African car service
industry.
While best practices are skillfully
demonstrated, the training provided
(free of charge) by ATE is somewhat of a
physics lesson.
Many laws of physics, such as - for every
action there is an equal and opposite
reaction – will be brought to light, in
order to help participants have a better
understanding of the various components
in a braking system.
➲ The new training prop is fully functional,
and is smaller, lighter and easier to transport
than ATE’s bigger, wheeled version used at
Partinform
Approved products such as ATE Plastilube
are endorsed by the facilitators. This is
strongly recommended when installing
brake pads and guide pins to prevent
unwanted squeal or noise and to properly
lubricate components. Similar braking
components are shown and compared to
highlight different maintenance procedures
that may apply.
An example of this is the various designs
of brake calipers: fixed, floating and fist
type, each with its own functionality and
repair/replacement procedure.
Companies and business
owners interested in ATE’s
training initiative, should
contact their distributor, who
in turn will refer them to an
ATE sales representative.
➲ Technicians are encouraged to participate and ask questions
| words in action
16
august 2014