There are two main types of brakes used in vehicles: disc brakes and drum brakes. They work differently but have the same objective—to slow down or bring a moving vehicle to a halt. In most cars, disc brakes are usually found in the front, and drum brakes, in the rear wheels. However, some newer models use disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels.
This article explores how the two types of brakes work and their advantages and disadvantages.
How disc brakes work
Disc brakes work by squeezing a pair of brake pads against the wheel’s brake disc or brake rotor. This action increases friction on the brake disc, reducing its rotational speed, slowing down the vehicle, or bringing it to a halt.
Advantages
- Disc brakes can dissipate heat and keep the brake pads from getting too hot faster than drum brakes. This is because the brake pads are exposed to the air, which makes them more effective and less likely to fade during heavy use.
- They have a greater brake pad contact area with the brake disc, which gives them better braking performance in wet conditions.
- Disc brakes have better performance in wet conditions because they can clear water and debris from the brake pad and rotor surface more effectively.
Disadvantages
- Disc brakes are more expensive, which increases the overall cost of the vehicle.
- Disc brakes are more prone to locking up and making the vehicle skid in case of the Antilock Braking System (ABS) failure.
How drum brakes work
Drum brakes are similar to disc brakes, but instead of a disc or rotor and brake pads, they have a drum and brake shoes. When the brakes are applied, the shoes move outward, pushing against the inside of the drum, increasing friction and creating a braking action.
The shoes are connected to a wheel cylinder, which is filled with brake fluid. The fluid enters the cylinder and pushes the shoes apart, bringing them in contact with the drum. The fluid pressure also pulls the shoes back as the driver releases the brake pedal.
Advantages
- They are cheap to manufacture and does not affect the overall price of the vehicle.
- They do not require the driver to apply a lot of force to stop or slow down the vehicle.
- Drum brakes can house the parking brakes without requiring extra space.
Disadvantages
- Drum brakes are less effective at dissipating heat because the brake linings are not exposed to the air but enclosed in the drum.
- They have more parts, which means they can fail easily.
- They are less effective in wet conditions.