The drum disc is a relic of an earlier era in the development of automobile braking technology. Even into the 1970s, it was still a standard feature for all automobiles.
The wholly insufficient and structurally inadequate drum brakes contributed to a significant portion of the severe accidents involving these massive cars.
These brakes were responsible for several accidents that resulted in serious injuries. Even the heavy and powerful American “muscle cars” of the late 1960s were frequently equipped with this type of brake, with often fatal consequences.
Although passenger safety technology was still in its infancy,
Disadvantages of drum brakes
The drum brake When applying brake pressure, the brake shoes are forced to make contact with the brake drum’s interior. The friction produced as a result of the braking action slows the vehicle by the desired amount, at least in theory.
The primary issue with the drum brake is that it cannot disperse the heat generated very effectively.
The drum brake has the potential to immediately overheat if the braking process is prolonged or thorough while traveling at high speeds. Because of the resulting heat buildup, the frictional force between the brake shoe and the inner wall is reduced, and the brake loses between 50% and 100% of its effect.
In addition, the encapsulated drum brake system is difficult to overhaul.
In addition, the encapsulated drum brake system is difficult to overhaul. It is impossible to determine the health of the drum brake from the outside looking in.
- Is the brake cylinder leaking?
- Is a brake shoe disintegrating?
- Is a return spring splitting?
If you want to be specific, you should always take the wheel off and open the brake drum. This is the only way to determine for sure what the issue is with your brakes.
Disc brakes: open, safe, and accessible
Therefore, disc brakes were superior to drum brakes from the beginning. They could withstand much higher braking forces without increasing the likelihood of the brakes overheating.
- The disc brake cleans and cools itself.
- If it becomes worn or has a defect, the driver can see what is happening to the brake at a glance, even if the wheel is still. It wasn’t until the middle of the 1990s that mid-range vehicles and even small cars gradually switched to disc brakes.
- Even sporty brands like BMW clung to drum brakes for a long time.
- The savings were maintained for a considerable amount of time, particularly on models with horsepower ratings of less than one hundred. However, this is precisely what seasoned mechanics can capitalize on in today’s world.
Drum-to-disc conversion: useful and practical?
To put it upfront, a conversion from drum brakes to disc brakes is only sensible in exceptional cases.
A brake system is already correctly matched from the factory to the respective vehicle.
A conversion from drum brakes to disc brakes is only sensible in exceptional cases.
A brake system is already correct. However, a drum brake is what it is: an outdated piece of technology that no longer has anything in common with sportiness, dynamics, or a refined look.
A drum brake no longer has anything to do with sportiness, dynamics, or a refined look. Four brake discs with painted brake calipers and matching carbon or aluminum rims are effective details that significantly improve the elegant look.
However, performing such a conversion is not as easy as it may seem.
Before assembly, it is time to get informed.
The most challenging aspect of this project is the extensive modification that must be performed on the brake system that the manufacturer supplied.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended to consult your trusted inspection point before making this significant and labor-intensive investment. Inspectors do not at all like to see this during a general inspection.
Inspectors do not at all like to see this during a general inspection.
Inspectors If a significant amount of time and money has been invested, and the vehicle is no longer roadworthy, the lesson will have been costly. On the other hand, it is possible to win over the goodwill of inspectors with a trick.
