How Does Brake Drums Work?
Brake drums play a very important role in the overall performance of your vehicles entire braking system. In this article we will explain what a brake drum is, what it does and hopefully everything else you will need to know about them. Brake drums are usually found on the rear of vehicles, but prior to the late 60’s and early 70’s they were standard equipment as the front brakes as well. Brake drums are the friction point where the brake shoes contact to slow a vehicle. They vary in size depending on the application: large work trucks will use a larger drum brake, while passenger cars use a much smaller brake. Brake drums can be made of different materials such as cast iron, on some vehicles they have used aluminum to save weight and improve the cooling of the brakes. Drum brakes are part of the overall car braking system which includes the brake pedal, master cylinder and front disc brakes. When the brake pedal is pressed, brake fluid under pressure flows through the brake lines an...