What is a drum brake system?

What is a drum brake system?

A drum brake system consists of hydraulic wheel cylinders, brake shoes and a brake drum. When the brake pedal is applied the two curved brake shoes, which have a friction material lining, are forced by hydraulic wheel cylinders against the inner surface of a rotating brake drum.

What are the 2 types of drum brakes?

There are three types of drum brakes depending on how the brake shoes are pressed on to the drums; leading/trailing shoe type, twin leading shoe type and duo-servo type.

What are the parts of a drum brake system?

Drum brake components include the backing plate, brake drum, shoe, wheel cylinder, and various springs and pins.

What are the advantages of drum brakes?

Drum brake advantages

• Drum brakes can provide more braking force than an equal diameter disc brake.
• Drum brakes last longer because drum brakes have increased friction contact area than a disc.
• Drum brakes are cheaper to manufacture than disc brakes.
• Rear drum brakes generate lower heat.

What is the biggest disadvantage of the drum brake system?

heat buildup

Why drum brakes are bad?

One of the first symptoms of bad or failing drum brakes is unusual brake pedal feel. If the brake drums are worn excessively they can cause vibrations that may be felt in the pedal. Worn drums may also cause shuddering or pulsating that will become noticeable once you step on the pedal.

How long do drum brakes last?

about 200,000 miles

Why do Ford still use drum brakes?

Drum brakes are cheaper to manufacture than disc brakes, because there are fewer moving parts and because in the rear the parking brake (which often works by a drum-and-shoe mechanism even on four-wheel-disc-equipped cars) can share a drum with the “regular” brakes.

How do I know if my brake drums need to be replaced?

Technical Bulletins

1. Inconsistent brake pedal feel. If the rear brakes are drum brakes, the driver may feel vibrations under braking.
2. Hand brake feels loose. If the hand brake requires a hard yank to keep the car from rolling off, chances are the brake shoes need replacing.
3. Scraping noise while braking.

How much does it cost to fix drum brakes?

What You Can Expect to Pay. If you aren’t comfortable replacing brake drums yourself, you can always head to a dealership or mechanic and pay to have it done. The average national cost is between $233 and $338 for the entire process. This includes $171 to $217 in labor, and $62 to $121 in parts.

Do drum brakes self adjust?

If they get too far away from the drum (as the shoes wear down, for instance), the piston will require more fluid to travel that distance, and your brake pedal will sink closer to the floor when you apply the brakes. This is why most drum brakes have an automatic adjuster.

How do you adjust drum brakes automatically?

David, if the starwheel is located just under the wheel cylinder, the auto adjustment is done by the parking brake. If the star wheel is located at the base of the brakes and acts as the hinge point for the shoes, then the adjustment is done by backing up.

How tight should drum brakes be adjusted?

adjust the shoes, click by click, and install and center (rock the drum from side to side) each time. You should have light drag after centering. if the drum is difficult to turn, then it is adjusted too tight.

How do I tighten my parking brake?

Pull or step on the parking brake lever to engage the brake shoes. The lever should stop firmly about halfway through its travel. If the lever goes all the way to the floor, or pulls up really high in the case of a hand-actuated lever, you should turn the cable adjuster nut more.

Which way do you turn drum brake adjuster?

just visualize backing the part with the wheel off the threaded rod, then rotate the star counterclockwise to tighten the brake. If you turn it as much as two rounds with no contact with shoe to drum go the other way until contact.

What is a brake spoon used for?

The brake spoon part # W80630 that you referenced is designed to adjust the tightness of brake assemblies so that they operate as they should. As long as you have drum brakes on the axle you are referring to this product should work well for you.

How do you loosen drum brakes?

Unscrew the brake drum if needed.

1. Use a screwdriver to remove the screws securing the brake drum to the wheel.
2. Draw the brake drum forcefully towards you.
3. Use a screwdriver and rubber mallet or a brake drum puller to take the drum off of the wheel if you are unable to remove the drum by unscrewing it and pulling it.

What must be done if you find a crack in the brake drum?

CRACKED DRUMS Upon inspecting the drum, a crack extending through the entire wall is found. This condition is caused by excessive heating and cooling of the brake drum during operation. If this condition is found, the drum MUST be replaced immediately.

What is brake drum resurfacing?

At some point your drums or rotors will take too much accumulated damage and have to be replaced. To resurface a brake rotor or drum, a mechanic will remove a thin layer of metal from the damaged surface of your brake rotors or drums.

What is the most common cause of scored brake drums?

Such gouges most commonly occur as the result of hard debris stuck to the brake shoe, such that it scratches the revolving brake drum. Scoring may also stem from rivets or other metal parts of the brake shoe assembly that have worked loose and now contact the brake drum.

What is the maximum brake drum diameter?

422.1 millimeters

What is the brake drum diameter?

260 mm

How do you measure brake drum depth?

Always measure the inside of the brake drum before deciding to discard or machine on a lathe. Use a drum micrometer or an equivalent tool to retrieve these measurements. Compare them to the diameter stamped on the outside of the drum. If the drum is scored or grooved, place the tool into the deepest part of the groove.

Can Brake Drums be turned?

WARNING: DO NOT TURN OR WEAR A BRAKE DRUM OR ROTOR BEYOND THE MAXIMUM DIAMETER OR MINIMUM THICKNESS STAMPED OR CAST ON THE BRAKE DRUM OR ROTOR. The maximum diameter or discard diameter is the maximum diameter to which the brake drum may be turned or worn, and still be usable.

Does O’Reilly turn brake drums?

O’Reilly Auto Parts offers rotor turning services — also known as rotor resurfacing — at many of its locations. O’Reilly stores do, however, sell replacement rotors, brake drums, brake pads, and other parts needed to maintain and repair your brakes yourself.

Does Napa turn brake drums?

Depending on your local NAPA Auto Parts store or NAPA AutoCare, these machines may still be available for brake rotor turning and flywheel turning. This is the minimum usable thickness, if the wear is too severe, turning will not work and the part must be replaced.

Does AutoZone turn brake rotors?

AutoZone does not turn, resurface, or replaces rotors, brake drums, brake pads, or brake shoes. However, AutoZone does sell the parts required if you would like to complete these brake service jobs yourself.