How to Determine When Drum Brakes Need Replacement?
2 Answers
Methods to determine drum brake replacement are: 1. For vehicles with frequent brake usage, it is recommended to consider replacing drum brakes after reaching 80,000 kilometers. 2. For vehicles with infrequent brake usage, it is recommended to consider replacing drum brakes after reaching 100,000 kilometers. 3. If squeaking sounds are heard when applying the brakes, immediately take the vehicle to a service center to inspect the braking system and replace the drum brakes. The working principle of drum brakes is: 1. They utilize stationary brake shoes inside the brake drum to create friction against the rotating drum attached to the wheel, thereby reducing wheel rotation speed. 2. Their components include: brake backing plate, wheel cylinder, brake shoes, related linkages, springs, pins, and brake drum.
Actually, I've been driving old cars for many years and am particularly sensitive to the condition of drum brakes. If you feel the brake pedal getting softer while driving and the car doesn't stop well, you need to be careful. Once when going around a corner, I noticed a burnt smell coming from the wheels, and upon checking, the drum brake pads were smoking. It's best to inspect them regularly yourself—just remove the tires to see inside the drum brakes. If the brake pads are worn down to the limit mark (usually around 3mm left), or if there's oil stains, cracks, or the metal backing plate is exposed, they must be replaced. If the brake drum has obvious scratches or feels rough to the touch, it should also be replaced. I remember one rainy day when the brakes squeaked, and upon disassembly, I found the springs were rusted and stuck. Don't wait for a brake failure to address the issue—make sure the mechanic checks this thoroughly during every maintenance session.
