Replacement of drum brakes with disc brakes. Which brakes are better - disc or drum?

Most modern cars are equipped with disc brakes in front and behind. On budget models, the rear axle is still drum. These mechanisms are considered obsolete for a long time. But why do manufacturers equip cars with such brakes? Most likely, it's a matter of a common desire to save money on production. Drum brakes work, but their efficiency is not too high. Replacing the drum brakes on the disc should improve the result. Let's see if this is so, and whether to replace this replacement.

Drum Brake Unit

Consider the construction in general. In this system, two brake pads of semicircular shape are used.

They are installed inside the brake drum. One side of the pads are fixed quite rigidly, and on the other hand they develop with a piston. The latter works when the driver presses the pedal. And the higher the force, the stronger the piston will protrude.

Between the two pads are springs. When the driver releases the pedal, these springs take the pads back to their basic position. They are used so that the drum does not jam.

Apparently, the drum brake mechanism is really distinguished by the simplicity of the design. But the progress and development of modern technologies are constantly moving forward, the engines are developing. Those speeds that at the dawn of the automobile industry seemed to be something unreal, today have become invisible. Often on the road, cars move at speeds up to 200 km / h. This speed even for the champions of motorsport 40 years ago seemed fantastic.

At these speeds, the drum brake is no longer able to cope with its main task. Efficiency is lost. The first, and also the only brake problem of this design, is overheating of the pads. Hence the deterioration of work efficiency.

With the growth of speeds and capacities, engineers and designers faced the difficult task of improving the braking system. And there was nothing else left to do than turn to the aviation industry for help. That's right, because the first disc brakes were installed on the aircraft. Then the system successfully passed to cars.

The device of disk mechanisms

The disk element was considered a new turn in the development of brake systems. Previously, it was installed only for aircraft, as well as huge trucks. Here the speed is higher and the mass is greater. Let's see how this system is arranged and whether drum brakes can be changed to disk.

So, the thin disk is fixed on the axis of the car. It can be both the front and rear axles. The so-called caliper is fixed in the upper part or on the side of the disk. Its mechanism includes pistons and brake pads. When the driver presses the pedal, the pads are compressed under the action of the piston. There is a disk between these elements. So there is a braking.

Features of disc brakes

Disk mechanism more productive. The point is that the contact patch is not semicircular, as on the drum system, but parallel. Due to this, the pads are pressed against the surface of the disc very tightly. This makes it possible to brake much more efficiently at high speeds. Replacing the drum brakes on the disk really allows many times to raise the efficiency of the system.

The drum brakes are heated, but the disc brakes are also subjected to loads. However, the disc is cooled better when driving. Also on the market you can find ventilated and perforated elements. Different incisions can reduce the stopping distance at times.

With all the pluses, there is also a negative side. Since the disc contact patch with the shoe is higher, then they wear out much faster. In addition, the disc is erased faster. It is sewn by pads. The resource of the latter for the disc brake is at least three times lower than the life of the drum. As far as there are brake pads, it's hard to say. The rate of wear depends on the manner of driving. On average, disc pads with a quiet driving style is enough for 25-30 thousand km.

Advantages and disadvantages of drum brakes

It's worth starting with the drum mechanisms. They have certain advantages. Drums are cheap in production. Many automakers with their help save on budget models. The drum brake has a significant resource. Pads change with large intervals (more than 100 thousand), which means that the owner will spend less money for maintenance.

The minuses include a small contact patch, low braking efficiency. Also, the drum systems heat up more. And since the device is closed, the effect of inhibition is further reduced. Finally, the drum element is more difficult to maintain.

Pros and cons of disk

Among the advantages are high efficiency of the braking process. Also, this system does not heat up to temperatures such as their drum counterparts. Disc brake is better to clean. The element can be easily changed if necessary. Change them when the disc is thinner than a certain parameter. The minimum thickness of the brake disc is 20 millimeters.

To drawbacks include fast wear pads. Even expensive consumables have a small resource - only 30-40 thousand kilometers. Also wear and disks. They are enough for an average of 100 thousand kilometers. Serve these brakes more than drum. In the summer, creaks are possible because of fake spare parts. It is also necessary to constantly monitor the degree of wear of the disc. It should be no thinner than 20 mm.

It is this minimum thickness of the brake disc that is regulated by most manufacturers. It is indicated on the end part of the product and each manufacturer has different.

How to replace drum brakes with disc brakes

Which brakes are better - disc or drum? For modern conditions, the first type of mechanisms is better. Speed even in sparsely populated cities increased. The engine's power has grown, and with each passing day the cars are getting bigger. For the replacement, you must purchase two sets of brakes. Saving and buying the cheapest accessories is not worth it - with the brakes the jokes are bad.

Dismantling and installation of new elements

Replacement of drum brakes with disc brakes should be carried out in a garage with a pit, on a flyover or a lift. You can use the usual jack. First of all, lift the car and fix it. Then remove the wheel. Further, remove the pins that hold the drum. This is not always possible, as the hairpins often stick. Then remove the drum. It is more convenient to do this by tapping with a rubber mallet. Next, remove the cable parking brake, dismantle the brake cylinder. Get pads and other parts from the hub.

Place the installation of new parts carefully cleaned. On the surface, there should be no cracks or irregularities. If everything is in order, you can continue to work.

Install the hub, tightly pressing it to the faceplate. Then knot the units on the beam. Well, and then everything is very simple - on the faceplate install brackets, and on the hub - the disc. Always put spacers. Then the joints of the brackets are tightened. The hose is connected to the caliper, pads are installed. Check the integrity of the brake line.

At this, the replacement of drum brakes with discs is over. You can enjoy an efficient operation of the braking system.

Conclusion

Budget cars are equipped with drum brakes. But they can always be replaced with disk analogs. This will improve the efficiency of braking.