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| CorvetteBob | Why drum brakes? | ||
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Elite Guru
 
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During idle time, I like to look at cars. I can't help but notice that there is a seemingly increasing number of cars produced today that have drum brakes on the back. What is it with this love affair with outdated technology that the automakers seem to share? I hate the burned-danged things and I just don't understand why they keep using these things. I have a hard time with the idea of them being cheaper to produce, considering the number of parts they contain. Assembly takes longer, again because of the number of parts. Is there a credible reason for using drum brakes?
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Posted on: 2015/3/28 16:29
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| GRIS | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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HAD A PICKUP WITH DISK BREAKS ALL ROUND. WHEN ON ROUGH OR WASHBOARD ROAD THE ABS HINDERED YOU STOPPING TO A NOTICEABLE EXTENT. NEXT TRUCK I BOUGHT HAD DRUMS ON THE REAR. WHEN I ASKED WHY THEY TOLD ME THE ABOVE HAD BEEN A PROBLEM. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WITH DRUMS ON THE REAR. WHETHER THIS APPLYS TO OTHER TYPES OF VEHICLE I KNOW NOT. NEVER NOTICED THE PROBLEM WITH MY 'VETTES. |
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Posted on: 2015/3/28 17:32
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REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN NOUNS HAD GENDER AND PEOPLE HAD SEX? ---"yellow is for folks who think a bright red Corvette is too restrained." |
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| CorvetteBob | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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Elite Guru
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While I guess that could happen, I've never experienced the issue. I had an '01 Silverado, and still have a '00 Suburban, both w/ 4wheel discs. Neither of them had that trouble.
Thanks for the reply Gris. Next contestant... |
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Posted on: 2015/3/28 18:40
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| Matatk | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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Webmaster
 
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From what I have read, it's mainly a cost issue. It's cheaper to put them on, and cheaper to integrate a parking brake setup.
For the consumer, since about 65-70% of stopping is done by the front, the rear drums can last a pretty long time before replacement as long as they are maintained. |
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Posted on: 2015/3/30 11:37
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| BrianCunningham | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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You actually have more clamping force with drums.
(which is why semis still use them) They retract all the way, so there's no drag when not in use. (gas mileage) They're also easy to setup a parking brake. The issue is with heat |
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Posted on: 2015/3/30 13:39
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| rklessdriver | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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Senior Guru
 
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With all the little parts involved in Drum brakes, there is no way they are cheaper to mfgr than disk.
I think Brian's explanation is probally the closest. Heck my 2013 GMC Sierra Z71 still has drums on the rear.... and theywill probally last 100K miles before I need to replace them. My 03 Avalanche had rear disk and they didn't last 30K miles when I was towing. Speaking of Drum brakes, I got to swap out a leaking wheel cyl on my step daughters Neon last week..... took 4 mins and 2 mins of that was getting her outside to help bleed the brakes. Will |
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Posted on: 2015/3/30 18:42
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1984 Corvette. 434 SBC with a Powerglide. Best pass - 8.48@160MPH 1.23 60ft on MT 275/60R15 Radials. 1972 Corvette. LS5 454 BBC with M20 4 speed. Best Pass - Doing good to just pass a gas station. |
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| CentralCoaster | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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Senior Guru
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Yup, cheaper I've heard also. I bet the bean counters have to decide whether the impression to the consumer is worth the extra expense.... when in reality 99% of drivers wouldn't know unless you told them. My tacoma has drum rears. The problem with a truck is you can get gravel in there easier than a disc setup. Hell, I had an old suzuki bike with drum brakes front and rear. It looks actually harder to do on a motorcycle than disc.
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Posted on: 2015/3/30 20:23
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| GRIS | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote:
LIKEWISE MY '08 SIERRA, 100K+ NEVER HAD TO DO ANYTHING TO BRAKES. |
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Posted on: 2015/3/30 20:58
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REMEMBER THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN NOUNS HAD GENDER AND PEOPLE HAD SEX? ---"yellow is for folks who think a bright red Corvette is too restrained." |
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| BillH | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
 
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My 67 has rear drum brakes...........the shoes are kinda small though.
 Attach file:  2015-01-24 11-44-24_0001.JPG (513.52 KB) |
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Posted on: 2015/3/31 13:50
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| bogus | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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Grand Imperial Pooh-Bah
 
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two other aspects of a drum... at least as far as trucks are concerned:
1. air... they are operated by air. 2. If the air fails, the brakes lock; you don't lock'm. there is no stopping. |
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Posted on: 2015/3/31 16:07
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| CorvetteBob | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote:
E-brakes aren't the issue, but, but it's cool looking at the parts. My '68 had those as well. I thought the small e-brakes were a good idea then, and I still do. |
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Posted on: 2015/3/31 21:57
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| BillH | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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The Stig Moderator
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Quote:
Bob, my 2000 Silverado has discs on the rear, the e-brakes are almost identical to the 67's.  |
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Posted on: 2015/3/31 23:22
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| CorvetteBob | Re: Why drum brakes? | ||
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Elite Guru
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Quote:
That's the way it oughta be. too. My '01 Silverado had 4-wheel discs, so does my Y2K Suburban. Both 2-wheel drive vehicles. |
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Posted on: 2015/4/1 21:33
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