Bendix Raises the Bar on Toughness: New Mechanical Retention System (MRS) designed for superior strength, durability, and performance under extreme 4 x4 off-road and towing conditions. Engineered and manufactured in Australia for serious touring and 4WD adventures.
Bendix Raises the Bar on Toughness: New Retention System for Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads.
Whether you’re scratching for traction climbing a rutted track in the high country or towing a heavy caravan across the sunburnt spine of Australia or crawling up a washed-out track through the Kimberly, there’s one bit of kit you don’t want to second-guess – your brakes.
That’s why Bendix has upped the ante with a serious upgrade to their already popular Ultimate 4WD™ disc brake pads, introducing a new Mechanical Retention System (MRS) designed to deliver next-level strength and endurance where it matters most: between the friction material and the backing plate.
The new MRS adopts a hook type attachment that uses bi-directional hooks to further anchor the friction material to the back plates, for added strength and durability.
Engineered for the Harshest Conditions
These brake pads were already a favourite among tourers and 4WD enthusiasts tackling the rough stuff, but the latest enhancement brings commercial-grade grit to your rig’s braking system.
Until now, Bendix relied on a mesh-style attachment system, borrowed from heavy vehicle applications, to lock the friction material to the backing plate. But in a move that mirrors the relentless innovation we love seeing in Aussie manufacturing, Bendix has introduced a new bi-directional hook-style MRS.
Think of it like a series of microscopic anchors grabbing tight from both directions, making it virtually impossible for the friction material to peel away—even under extreme lateral stress or scorching heat from repeated braking on long descents.
Built Tough for Big Loads and Bigger Adventures
Whether you’re loaded up with bar work, rooftop tents, extra fuel, and water tanks, or hauling a dual-axle van across the Nullarbor, this upgrade gives you peace of mind in high-stakes braking situations.
Extensive testing by Bendix has shown that the new hook-style system eliminates “end lift”, a nasty delamination risk that can occur when pad material starts to separate under stress. With more pressure on your brakes than ever before, especially in modern overland setups and touring rigs, this new design is a significant win.
Adoption of the new process follows an investment of approximately $100,000 in technology and equipment, and brings additional manufacturing capabilities in-house at Bendix’s Ballarat facility.
Backed by Aussie Manufacturing Muscle
It’s not just the engineering that impresses—it’s where it’s done.
The switch to the new MRS meant a $100,000 investment into Bendix’s Ballarat manufacturing and R&D facility. That’s more Aussie jobs, more local expertise, and more confidence that what you’re fitting to your vehicle was built with our conditions in mind.
Notably, the new process allows Bendix to bring even more of its production in-house, ending the need for third-party mesh bonding. That means tighter quality control and faster innovation—two things that every serious tourer can appreciate.
The Isuzu D-Max in deep Bulldust in Outback QLD
The Bottom Line?
If your adventures regularly take you off the blacktop—and you’re towing, hauling, or just pushing your 4WD to its limits—then Bendix Ultimate 4WD™ brake pads with the new Mechanical Retention System deserve a serious look.
Because when the track gets hairy, the last thing you want to be thinking about is whether your brakes are up to the task.
Gone Touring Tip: Upgrading your pads? Always inspect your rotors and fluid at the same time. A great brake pad can’t do its job on warped rotors or old fluid. For more tech tips like this, check out our Touring Torque podcast, brought to you by GoneTouring.com.au – Where the Journey Begins.
