AVON, Ohio — Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems (Bendix) is introducing the new UniSync hub and rotor system as part of their complete trailer wheel-end offering, designed to help fleets enhance safety, deliver weight savings and lower total cost of ownership.
“This launch reflects what fleets have been asking for – a system-level approach to the trailer wheel-end,” said Nicole Oreskovic, Bendix vice president, sales and marketing. “By integrating the hub and rotor into a single solution, UniSync helps fleets simplify spec’ing, maintain more consistent performance and keep trailers on the road with fewer service interruptions.”
In addition to the new UniSync hub and rotor, the complete trailer wheel-end includes the ADB22X-LT air disc brake as well as the optional EnduraSure-Pro spring brake and iSense Pro wear sensing system, delivering a single-source solution engineered to work together as one system.
Enhancing Safety Through a More Durable Tone Ring Design
The Bendix UniSync design positions the tone ring within the rotor barrel – shielding it from contaminants that drive corrosion – while a press-fit mount helps maintain secure retention.
Together, these features help prevent the tone ring from loosening, a common issue that can lead to loss of wheel speed sensor data, trigger ABS (antilock braking system) faults, and potentially disable ABS.
60 Pounds of Weight Savings per Tandem Trailer
The fully assembled Bendix UniSync trailer hub and rotor system incorporates the Walther Dura‑Light Hub, engineered to Bendix specifications, and is paired with a Bendix conventional rotor.
The hub material is austempered ductile iron (ADI), which provides the strength of traditional iron with weight comparable to aluminum. The new hub delivers a 15-pound weight reduction per wheel-end, or approximately 60 pounds per tandem trailer.
Solving Fleet Problems and Lowering Total Cost of Ownership
The new offering is rooted in direct feedback from fleet maintenance professionals and data gathered through Bendix’s field service team and customer engagements. Across the industry, rotor-related service events remain a top driver of trailer downtime.
“As trailers become more connected and systems more interdependent, having system-level solutions is critical,” said Jon Intagliata, Bendix vice president, aftermarket and trailer. “The UniSync hub and rotor is part of an integrated solution supporting enhanced trailer safety, while addressing field issues and lowering total cost of ownership. Smarter design choices upfront mean fewer issues to manage down the road. Because Bendix is a full trailer system supplier, we’re a one-stop shop for our customers.”
Bendix Friction Couple
Anotherbenefit of the new trailer hub and rotor is the Bendix friction couple. The metallurgy of the redesigned rotor and the friction material are designed as a matched pair that results in optimized performance and long life for both components. The friction couple helps fleets avoid common issues, such as accelerated pad and rotor wear and rotor stress cracking that are key contributors to shortened service intervals, which can lead to CSA violations.
“Sometimes the hub and rotor are ordered separately, and you may not know what rotor you’re getting,” said Keith McComsey, Bendix technical sales lead, wheel-end. “Getting the Bendix wheel-end ensures that you will continue to get the benefits of the friction couple.”
Full-Spec Flexibility
Configurations are designed to meet fleets’ full specifying needs. Options include both TN (tapered) and TP (parallel) spindle options; two bearing cup options; and short or long wheel studs to accommodate steel duals or aluminum singles, respectively.
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Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe.
