Brake discs or brake drums?

For vehicle brakes, there are two main designs: drum brakes and disc brakes. We will not discuss now how the differences in the various forces can cause rapid wear on your front braking system as well as your car's tires. Here, we will examine the differences in these brake types and their applications.

Typically, drum brakes are used in trucks and other large trucks. But while it's true that many cars prefer disc brakes, they often use a hybrid or dual braking system - front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. So even if you don't have a truck or industrial vehicle, you should be aware of the two different types of brakes.

How Disc Brakes Work

As the name implies, the main component of these brakes is large rotating discs. When the brakes are applied, the caliper pushes the brake pads against the disc and clamps them down. It is this friction that brings the vehicle to a stop. The effect is similar to the braking system found on a regular bicycle.

Benefits of Disc Brakes

One of the main advantages of using disc brakes is that they are more effective at dissipating heat. This is because the discs expand and move closer to the pads even when the calipers and clamps are loosened. This allows you to connect and brake without having to press hard on the pedal.

Again, disc brakes are less likely to warp than drum brakes, provide better braking power, and cool faster. This helps them avoid brake fade, which can permanently reduce the braking power of the brake in high temperature conditions due to reduced friction.

Disc brakes are also very useful in wet conditions. Water washes away from the discs instead of pooling and preventing friction. They are also cheaper because individual rotors or discs can be replaced instead of having to replace the entire assembly.

Disadvantages of Disc Brakes

On the downside, disc brakes require more hydraulic pressure than drum brakes. They also typically require an anti-lock (or anti-skid) braking system or ABS for short, which adds to the cost. This ensures that disc brakes, while effective, are easier to maintain in the long run, but more expensive to produce.

How Drum Brakes Work

Drum brakes are named after the large drum that contains the braking system itself. Inside are a pair of curved brake pads. When the brake pedal is depressed, the slave hydraulic cylinder pushes both pads out, creating friction by rubbing against the inside of the drum.

Advantages of Drum Brakes

From a design standpoint, drum brakes are simple and can be operated with their own hydraulic actuators and mechanical design. As a result, they do not require ABS brakes or auxiliary equipment like disc brakes.

It is also worth noting that drum brakes require no additional power and can help increase braking force due to the large brake pads and the friction generated. This is also the servo effect that allows the drum to lock the wheels easily.

Drawbacks of Drum Brakes

Similarly, drum brakes have the opposite effect at high temperatures compared to disc brakes. As the disc extends closer to the pad, the drum expands away from the pad, requiring more pressure and pedal power to achieve the desired amount of braking power. The hotter it gets, the harder it is to brake.

Although drum brakes are equipped with springs to help reposition the brake linings, the braking force is dispersed more slowly than with disc brakes. This is due to the servo action of the brakes, making them less suitable for high precision driving.

Conclusion

Obviously, both disc and drum brakes have their advantages and disadvantages, so it is not surprising that vehicle designers have chosen to use both in their vehicle designs. If you need more information on this subject, please consult us.