What Are the Types of Drum Brakes?

[OHadley]

Drum brakes can be categorized based on the direction of movement of the brake shoes into internally expanding and externally contracting types. According to the actuation mechanism, they can be divided into wheel cylinder brakes and cam brakes. Based on the force applied to the brake shoes, they can be classified as trailing shoe, dual leading shoe, and other types. Here is some related information about brakes: 1. Working Principle: A brake provides resistance to stop a car. The handbrake or parking gear in an automatic transmission serves as the car's brake. Modern cars typically use an electronic parking brake system, which combines temporary braking during driving with long-term parking braking, controlled electronically. Both parking brakes and mechanical handbrakes work by generating friction between the brake pads and brake discs to achieve the braking effect. 2. Types of Brakes: Generally, car brakes can be divided into drum brakes and disc brakes. Small cars usually use drum brakes, also known as drum-type brakes.

[DiCatherine]

I've worked in the auto shop for many years and have seen several main types of drum brakes. The leading-trailing type is most common, featuring one active and one passive brake shoe with uneven braking force but simple structure, widely used in older models like some Japanese sedans. The duo-servo type is more advanced, with both shoes active, significantly improving braking force, suitable for high-performance vehicles like sports cars, providing smoother braking without vibration. The self-adjusting type is the modern mainstream, featuring built-in levers to automatically adjust clearance, reducing maintenance frequency and preventing brake failure risks. There's also the servo type used in large SUVs or trucks, utilizing mechanical assistance to enhance force. Different vehicles use different types - from my repair experience, leading-trailing types often overheat on mountain roads, while duo-servo types tend to lock up on slippery surfaces. I recommend owners check wear every six months and replace parts promptly to ensure driving safety.

[OJesse]

I've been passionate about vehicle modification for several years and have experimented with various types of drum brakes. The leading-trailing type is cost-effective for regular cars but tends to cause wheel vibration during braking. The twin-leading type is widely used in my modified race cars, where both shoes apply force simultaneously, offering quick response and high efficiency, though it may become unstable during high-speed cornering. The self-adjusting type is the most hassle-free, automatically compensating for friction material wear, making maintenance easy and ideal for daily commuting. Heat dissipation is a challenge with drum brakes, as prolonged use can lead to heat fade, resulting in reduced braking power. In contrast, disc brakes offer better heat dissipation but underperform in rainy conditions compared to drum brakes. I recommend DIY enthusiasts choose the type based on their driving environment: twin-leading for frequent mountain road driving and self-adjusting for city commuting, as it's more cost-effective. In short, proper matching can enhance the overall driving experience.

[FrankDella]

Just finished reviewing the car course after getting my driver's license. The teacher mentioned that drum brakes are divided into several types. The most basic is the leading-trailing type, with one large shoe and one small shoe, simple in structure and commonly found on older cars. The dual-leading type is more advanced, with two large shoes providing equal force, suitable for high-demand vehicles. There's also the self-adjusting type, which automatically adjusts its position, reducing the hassle of manual adjustments. Modern cars mostly use disc brakes, but many small cars still use drum brakes on the rear wheels because they are cheap and durable. Learning about this, I found that drum brakes perform well in rainy conditions for anti-skid but have poor heat dissipation, making them prone to overheating and causing the brakes to soften. It's quite interesting to know these details, as it helps better understand car design.