What to know about the Brake Drum:
A brake drum is a smooth metal cylindrical housing attached to the rear wheel hub. It is an important part of your car’s braking system that permits you to slow down or stop.
SEE ALSO:WHAT IS PARKING BRAKE DRUM
Most new cars (1999 and above) come with rotors at each wheel. Older cars may have drums at the rear wheels instead of rotors. It is the friction between brake shoes and drums that cause your car to slow down and stop.
As the drums wear out, they are unable to disperse the heat caused by the braking system. This will cause the brake fluid to boil and deteriorate its ability to slow and stop the car.
Facts to Note:
Your brake drums will turn out to be smaller as they wear out, and their size will determine if they need replacing.
Defective brake drums sometimes cause damage to brake shoes.
Brake drums cannot be repaired, only changed.
Both brake drums should be changed at the same time, even if only one is damaged.
How to Fix:
Measure the thickness of brake drums.
Take out and change brake drums and shoes if the thickness is lower than specifications.
Examine wheel cylinder, springs, clips, and adjustment parts in the brakes.
Lubricate backing plate.
Perform road system to check brake system performance.
If you notice a clear fluid underneath your car or on the wheels, have it checked as soon as you can. Do not drive the car with brake fluid leaking. It can make the brakes weaker and eventually lead to break failure.
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Common symptoms indicating you may need to change the Brake Drum:
Back of the car shakes when you brake.
Car may pull left or right when you brake.
Hand brake does not hold.
Noise from rear brakes.
Importance of this service:
When you apply your brake pedal, the brake drums rub against the brake shoes, generating friction that slows down your vehicle. If the brake drums are damaged, this friction is irregular and inefficient, and your car will not brake as effectively. If the brake drums are worn down, they won’t be thick enough to dissipate the braking system’s heat, and the brake fluid will absorb the heat and reach a boiling point. Boiling brake fluid is less effective, and will lower the efficiency of your brake system.