Cummins announced its Meritor MFlex4 air disc brake pad at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW) in Grapevine, Texas. The company said the new brake pad is a patent-pending design engineered to cover a wide range of Class 8 truck and trailer applications with a single platform. The pad was developed by Cummins Drivetrain and Braking Systems — formerly Meritor. Cummins acquired Meritor in August of 2022.
Reducing Parts Sprawl in the Aftermarket
The MFlex4 pad is designed to fit four of the most commonly used air disc brake calipers in North America. These include the Bendix ADB22X, Hendrickson Maxx22T, Wabco Maxxus, and Wabco Pan22. Cummins estimates that compatibility gives the MFlex4 platform coverage of up to 70% of the Class 8 truck and trailer market, spanning both linehaul and heavy-duty applications. For fleets, dealers, and distributors, the MFlex4 is positioned to reduce parts sprawl and simplify brake service across mixed fleets. By consolidating multiple caliper applications into a single pad platform, Cummins said the MFlex4 can significantly reduce SKU counts, simplify procurement, and streamline inventory management. This is an increasingly important advantage as labor shortages and rising operating costs continue to pressure maintenance operations, the company added. “The MFlex4 is a technician-friendly solution that directly addresses common challenges, such as adjustment complexity, parts sprawl, and service efficiency,” said Jason Soika, general manager, aftermarket North America, Cummins Transmission and Braking Systems. “By combining Meritor’s OE expertise with aftermarket analytics, we enable parts dealers and distributors to streamline their operations and help fleets maximize uptime with a high-quality, cost-effective product.”
Cummins Launches MFlex4 Air Disc Brake Pad for Heavy Duty Aftermarket
Designed for Efficiency and Durability
Beyond fitment flexibility, Cummins emphasized performance and durability features designed to support lower total cost of ownership. The MFlex4 pad incorporates Meritor’s Positive Pad Retraction (PPR) spring technology. This system is designed to reduce brake drag under normal operating conditions. It does so by helping pads retract more effectively and can contribute to improved fuel efficiency and extended rotor and pad life. The platform will be offered with two friction material options. These include an in-line formulation and a heavy-duty formulation. Both are designed to meet or exceed applicable original equipment performance standards. Cummins said the dual-compound approach allows fleets to better match brake performance to specific duty cycles without adding complexity to parts stocking.
Cummins Launches MFlex4 Air Disc Brake Pad for Heavy Duty Aftermarket
Predictable Pricing and Installation
Cummins also highlighted uniform pricing across all four caliper applications. This is an approach, it said, aimed at improving cost predictability for fleets and distributors. Each MFlex4 kit includes all required installation components, reducing technician downtime and eliminating the need to source additional hardware. The brake pad carries a one-year limited warranty, along with an ongoing warranty on Bendix ADB22X caliper applications. The MFlex4 air disc brake pad is available now through Meritor aftermarket distributors across North America.
