A new commercial-vehicle drum brake block from Abex Commercial Grade Friction meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 121 reduced stopping distance (RSD) requirements.

Abex products are manufactured by Federal-Mogul. The new product is available through leading replacement parts distributors.

FMVSS 121 has been amended to reduce the specified stopping distance to 250 ft., a 30% reduction, for truck tractors built on or after Aug. 1, 2011.

The new Abex RSD drum brake block includes three application-specific formulations engineered to enhance overall performance while meeting the new FMVSS requirement, the company said. Available options include a premium organic, 20,000-lb, axle rating, copper-free formulation; a premium semi-metallic, 29,000-lb. axle rating, for RSD and severe service applications; and a premium semi-metallic combo formulation, 23,000-lb. axle rating.