Disc vs. Drum - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Kenneth · 12-05-2003, 12:59 PM

So I've looked through some threads on the subject but couldn't find my answer. I thought drum breaks were going the way of the dinosaur b/c disc breaks have better stopping power and reliability but I was recently at a car show in Vegas (just a show for car dealers showing off 2004-5 models). Now I admit I don't know what trucks use, but I was shocked to see a 2004 PT Cruiser (i think) and another similar size car using rear drum breaks. What's the advantage of drum breaks?

gldevall · 12-05-2003, 01:19 PM

Cheaper

apstguy · 12-05-2003, 02:03 PM

smaller vehicles only need tiny rear brakes - sometimes even small discs can be too much - or they want to same money

KShortell · 12-05-2003, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kenneth
What's the advantage of drum brakes?

Drum brakes make for superior parking brakes. This has to do with the geometry of the brake assembly. When the brake is set, the shoes will wedge in a little tighter as more force is applied. A disc brake assembly will not do this and this is why you should always leave a disc brake car in gear (or Park for autos). Otherwise, you could find your car has rolled a bit on its own, even with the parking brake set. I've had this happen to me before on a car I used to own, even with properly adjusted rear disc brakes. This is also an important consideration at the boat ramp! I'm wondering how long it'll take before someone has a new stick shift 4-wheel disc Silverado go into the water...

Another aspect to drum brakes is full retraction of the brake shoes from the drum, sometimes resulting in less potential for drag. Disc brakes often rely on hydraulic suction to pull the pads back a bit from the rotor surface. Fuel efficiency goals push automakers to lessen drag as much as they can these days.

Having said all that, however, disc brakes are also generally more efficient since they dissipate heat better than drums. This provides more brake fade resistance-- a good thing. Since the front brakes produce the brunt of the stopping force for a vehicle, they are used almost universally on the front end of vehicles these days.

Just my 2 cents...
Kevin

Kenneth · 12-05-2003, 04:26 PM

Thanks, that's some good two cents!

12-05-2003, 12:59 PM	#1
Kenneth Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 53	Disc vs. Drum So I've looked through some threads on the subject but couldn't find my answer. I thought drum breaks were going the way of the dinosaur b/c disc breaks have better stopping power and reliability but I was recently at a car show in Vegas (just a show for car dealers showing off 2004-5 models). Now I admit I don't know what trucks use, but I was shocked to see a 2004 PT Cruiser (i think) and another similar size car using rear drum breaks. What's the advantage of drum breaks?

12-05-2003, 01:19 PM	#2
gldevall Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Walker, LA Posts: 2,925	Cheaper __________________ Gary -1986 SWB: lowered 4/6, SOLD!!! -Best 1/4 mile: 14.51 @ 91.01 MPH -2001 Pewter Tahoe, billet grill, Corsa Sport Cat-back, K&N FIPK SOLD!!! -2004 Z-71 Extended cab with a flowmaster, BDS 6.5", 3" BL, 35x12.5x18 Trail Grapplers on Pro-Comp 18x9 wheels

12-05-2003, 02:03 PM	#3
apstguy LED King Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,088	smaller vehicles only need tiny rear brakes - sometimes even small discs can be too much - or they want to same money __________________ Tyler 1985 C10 305 w/ Bowtie OD TH700R4 3.42 LSD 202,000 miles 2006 Ford Focus ZX3 5-speed Stick 2016 Chevy Spark EV Gone: 2002.5 VW GTI 24v VR6 Gone: 2008 VW R32

12-05-2003, 04:26 PM	#5
Kenneth Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 53	Thanks, that's some good two cents!



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