disc or drum brakes? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

big_r101 · 06-25-2010, 01:56 AM

which would be better for stopping while hauling heavy loads with a dually? the drums that are normally on or an aftermarket disc brake conversion?

Chionos GMs · 06-25-2010, 02:43 AM

Disc

I need to learn to read better

Drums are way better than the disk for stopping loads

79gmcc15 · 06-25-2010, 04:16 AM

This can be an interesting question. Because they both have there +/-. Drums are not a bad choice, after all, every big rig out there has drum brakes. With disks and street/mild uses, I would say yeah, disks. But for heavy loads, I would probably go with drums, because your braking contact is much larger with drums then with disks. Big Rigs could have disks but for them to equal the same contact patch they would have to be HUGE. JM2C

LONGHAIR · 06-25-2010, 06:32 AM

Assuming that you are talking about rear brakes....Stick with the drums. Discs in the front are much more forgiving as far as maintenence and adjustment and reduce the tendancy to "pull" under braking. As 79gmcc15 said, for stopping power, drums are hard to beat. They have much greater contact area and the design is "Self energizing" which cuts pedal effort. Keep in mind that "power boosters" were implimented for discs, because they needed the help.
So, in effect, leave it as the factory built it. Make sure that they are clean, true, and well maintained....

BigBlocksRule · 06-25-2010, 07:59 AM

Discs will fade earlier and worse than drums. As drums get hotter, they actually grab better, opposite of discs.

06-25-2010, 01:56 AM	#1
big_r101 Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Parker,CO Posts: 110	disc or drum brakes? which would be better for stopping while hauling heavy loads with a dually? the drums that are normally on or an aftermarket disc brake conversion? __________________ 1998 Ford Ranger FX4, 3.0 V6, 5 speed manual 1999 Ford Explorer, 4.0 V6, 5 speed auto O.D. 2005 Chevy Colorado, 3.5l inline 5, 4 speed auto 2001 Gmc sonoma 4.3l V6, 4 speed auto soon to have 1981-88 k30

06-25-2010, 02:43 AM	#2
Chionos GMs Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Farmington,CA Posts: 345	Re: disc or drum brakes? Disc I need to learn to read better Drums are way better than the disk for stopping loads __________________ My last name is Chiono pronounced key-ono even if my grammar teacher told me Ch dont make a K sound 1995 Ext. cab 350 4wd dd 260,*** miles 1986 1/2 ton swb 305 2wd (melted bearings) SOLD!! 1982 3/4 lwb 6.2 diesel 2wd 1962 Chevy 283 4 speed long step 2wd 2 OWNER GONE!! Last edited by Chionos GMs; 06-25-2010 at 12:12 PM.

06-25-2010, 04:16 AM	#3
79gmcc15 Gettin It One Pice At A Time Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: everett, washington Posts: 2,688	Re: disc or drum brakes? This can be an interesting question. Because they both have there +/-. Drums are not a bad choice, after all, every big rig out there has drum brakes. With disks and street/mild uses, I would say yeah, disks. But for heavy loads, I would probably go with drums, because your braking contact is much larger with drums then with disks. Big Rigs could have disks but for them to equal the same contact patch they would have to be HUGE. JM2C __________________ RIP ELJAY Work In Progress 1979 GMC C1500 Trailering Special. Getting the truck done, one piece at a time. “You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by his way of eating jellybeans.”Ronald Reagan “I don’t know the key to success but I know the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” Bill Cosby

06-25-2010, 07:59 AM	#5
BigBlocksRule Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 2,047	Re: disc or drum brakes? Discs will fade earlier and worse than drums. As drums get hotter, they actually grab better, opposite of discs.



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