Drum brakes are commonly used by car manufacturers on rear wheels, with disc brakes on the front. They work by brake shoes inside a drum being forced into contact with the wheel. Drum brakes are also used as parking or emergency brakes, but regular checks are necessary to ensure they are working properly.
Drum brakes are a type of automotive brake commonly used by almost all car manufacturers. They work to stop a moving vehicle when the driver applies pressure to the brake pedal, which pushes the fluid through the hydraulic lines that lead to the drum brakes. Drum brakes are typically installed on the rear wheels of a car, with higher performance disc brakes at the front of the vehicle, since the front of the car provides a much larger percentage of the stopping power. Because brakes are an integral part of vehicle safety, all brakes on a vehicle should be checked regularly to make sure they are working properly.
Automotive brake systems that work from inside a drum have been around since the early 1900s, though drum brakes have been extensively refined since then. The basic design, however, remains the same. A partially enclosed drum or cylinder is attached to the wheel, with brake shoes inside the drum. When the driver brakes, the shoes come into contact with the drum, forcing the car to stop. Brake pads made of highly heat tolerant materials on the inside of the brake shoes increase friction and prevent metal-to-metal contact while the driver is braking.
Disc brakes, at the front of a vehicle, work on similar principles, although the brake shoes take the form of calipers that hold a rotating disc. Disc brakes are considered superior to drum brakes, which is why they are mounted at the front of a car. However, disc brakes are also more expensive. The decreased stopping power of drum brakes is perfectly adequate for most driving situations, which is why most car manufacturers combine the two braking systems to reduce initial and maintenance costs for the car. . Only high performance cars need a four wheel disc brake system.
The secondary use of drum brakes is as a parking or emergency brake. The simple mechanical system used to operate the drum brakes can be set to work even without hydraulic pressure, and on many cars the emergency brake system connects directly to the rear drum brakes, rather than a separate brake. On cars that have four-wheel disc brake systems, additional drum brakes are installed on the rear wheels for emergency situations.
If the brake pads on drum brakes wear out, the brakes will lose efficiency and eventually stop working. Because of this, it’s important to check your brakes regularly to make sure they’re in good working order. Most car manufacturers install a small viewing hole in the brake drum so drivers can check their brake pads without removing the entire wheel. However, the wheels must be removed periodically for a complete inspection of the brake mechanism, and while the wheels are off, the tires can be rotated and other routine maintenance can be performed.
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