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Drum brakes are a type of brake that uses a cylindrical drum-shaped housing to enclose the brake shoes. The brake shoes are lined with friction material and are pressed against the inner surface of the drum to slow or stop the vehicle. Drum brakes are commonly used on the rear wheels of cars and trucks, but they can also be found on the front wheels of some older vehicles.
How Drum Brakes Work
When the brake pedal is depressed, a piston in the master cylinder forces brake fluid through a brake line to the wheel cylinders. The wheel cylinders contain pistons that push the brake shoes outward against the inner surface of the brake drum. The friction between the brake shoes and the drum slows or stops the vehicle.
Advantages of Drum Brakes
- Stronger: Drum brakes have an inherent mechanical advantage over disc brakes, which means that they can generate more braking force with less effort.
- Closed from the environment: Drum brakes are enclosed from the environment, which helps to protect them from debris and water.
Disadvantages of Drum Brakes
- Heat dissipation: Drum brakes can generate a lot of heat, which can cause the brake fluid to boil and the brake shoes to fade.
- Brake dust sealed in: Drum brakes seal in brake dust, which can be harmful to the environment.
Conclusion
Drum brakes are a type of brake that has been used for many years. They are strong and durable, but they also have some disadvantages, such as heat dissipation and brake dust. Disc brakes are a more modern type of brake that is becoming increasingly popular. They are more efficient at dissipating heat and they do not seal in brake dust, but they are also more expensive than drum brakes.