Are you one of such people who are still curious about the inner workings of a drum brake? Drum brakes are an essential component of the braking system that is located on the rear axle of your vehicle. And despite the fact that they perform the same function as a rear disc brake, their operation is, however, different.
In fact, it would not be wrong if we said that your vehicle wouldn’t be able to come to a halt if you didn’t have them! Let’s get into the details of the drum break parts and cover everything you need to know about it. Drum brakes will be defined, their operation will be broken down, and recommendations for how to keep them in pristine condition will be provided in this detailed writing!
What Exactly Are Drum Brakes?
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Many vintage cars and even some current cars’ rear wheels use drum brakes as their primary stopping method. Drum brakes stop the car by pushing outward and creating friction, as opposed to disc brakes, which squeeze inward.
Due to the efficiency and reduced heat produced by disc brake systems, this design is not as common as it once was. Although they don’t lock up as much and are frequently utilized as an emergency brake, some new cars still have rear drum break parts.
Undoubtedly one of the most crucial components of your car is the braking system. The greatest approach to ensure that your automobile will be safe and secure on the road is to have a high-quality braking system. While having power and acceleration is good, it is far more crucial to be able to stop suddenly and prevent an accident when you need to.
Disc brakes and drum brakes are two different kinds of braking systems. Nevertheless, due to their straightforward construction and low maintenance requirements, disc brakes are more typical in current automobiles, but some older and even newer models still retain drum break parts on the back wheels. Making sure your car is safe can be accomplished by understanding how drum brakes operate and how they should be maintained.
How Do Drum Brakes Operate?
Drum break parts get their stopping power from pneumatic brake fluid, which is introduced into the braking system whenever the brake pedal is depressed. Due to this fluid, a pair of pistons are expelled from the braking cylinder that is housed within the brake drum. The brake shoes, which are covered in a high-friction substance, are then pushed outward by the pistons, where they come into contact with the drum, which is attached to the wheel itself.
On the surface of the friction, the brake shoes that are located inside the drum are angled slightly at an angle. This makes drum metal break parts self-actuating, which means that as the brakes are applied, they generate more friction and hence more stopping power.
When the brake pedal is released, this also means that the shoes have to be lifted away from the drum in order to prevent damage. As a result of this, the shoes are mounted on springs, which release the pressure that was previously being exerted on the drum and allow the wheels to travel freely once more.
What Are the Major Parts of a Drum Brake?
In this section of the writing, we aim to enlighten you with various crucial drum break parts in detail!
Braking Drums
A disc made of cast iron or aluminum serves as the braking drum, and it is attached to the hub of the wheel. This is the component that is responsible for the wheel coming to a halt, as it is the one that receives the friction from the shoes.
They turn at the same rate as the wheel, which means that when the shoes create friction, it causes the wheel to slow down, which in turn causes the car to come to a halt.
Cylindrical Wheel
The wheel cylinder is joined to the brake lines and rests on top of the drum brake system. When you depress the brake pedal, a pair of pistons are forced out of the wheel cylinder and onto the shoes. This part exerts the force required to produce the ideal level of friction.
Braking Shoes
When the brake pedal is depressed, the parts that press outward against the drum are the brake shoes. Curved brake shoes with friction material on the brake lining aid in increasing braking power. The friction required to stop the car is produced when this substance rubs on the drum.
Retracting Spring
Retracting springs are required to pull the shoes away due to the construction of drum brakes and the fact that the shoes are self-energizing due to the angle they are at. Retracting springs move the shoes when you lift your foot off the pedal, which reduces friction on the drum.
Self-Adjuster
The brake shoes shouldn’t be in contact with the drum once your foot is off the brake pedal. The friction area may experience corrosion if the shoes are lying on the drum, which will result in brake fade.
In order to ensure that the shoes survive as long as possible, the self-adjuster keeps the smallest possible gap between them and the drum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Three Diverse Types of Drum Brakes?
The three major types of drum brakes include mechanical drum brakes, pneumatic assisted drum brakes, and hydraulic drum brakes.
Which Three Components Make Up the Majority of the Drum Brake System?
A brake caliper assembly is what surrounds the rotor, and the pads are joined to the assembly. Drum brakes are the type of brakes that are found on the back of the vehicle. Drum break parts consist of wheel cylinders, brake drums, and brake shoes.
The Bottom Line
By now, you might have gathered what the various parts of a drum brake are. Some critical drum break parts include the backing plate, the braking drum, the shoe, the wheel cylinder, and a variety of springs and pins.
