We all know how important brakes are; without them, our cars would virtually be rendered useless. But do we actually know what our brakes are made with? Have you ever actually noticed whether or not your brakes are made of brake drums? If the term ‘brake drum’ is brand new to you, you’re probably curious about what a brake drum is and how it operates differently than brake discs, another popular piece of equipment that aids in braking.

So what are brake drums, specifically? A brake drum is a cylindrical drum attached to the inside of the wheel that surrounds a series of brake shoes, which are pushed outwards towards the brake drum when the brake pedal is pushed. Brake drums can create better friction for braking and last a longer period of time, however, they are susceptible to heat and water damage.

Knowing everything you can about brake drums will help you make the right decision when it comes to what type of brake equipment you want in your vehicle. We’re going to discuss what brake drums do and how they differ from typical brake discs, as well as how to know when they need to be replaced and about how much money you’ll be shelling out for a pair of new ones.

What Are Brake Drums

We answered this question a little bit previously, but we’re going to expand on what exactly a brake drum is.

To put it simply, a brake drum is exactly how it sounds: it is a cylindrical drum that is located inside of a car’s wheel. As it’s inside of the wheel, it will spin and rotate with the wheel while in motion. The cylindrical drum surrounds a series of ‘brake shoes’, which are completely doused in specific materials that will cause friction.

When you’re driving in your car, the brake drum will move with the wheel. Once you press the brake pedal, the special brake shoes inside the drum will push against it. This mass amount of friction will allow the vehicle to come to a stop.

A major benefit to having a set of brake drums is that they are usually made of iron which means they won’t wear down over time; although that doesn’t mean they can’t be broken down and need to be replaced. In fact, when brake drums are exposed to too much heat they can expand, and it will be far more difficult to brake. Brake drums also can become damaged due to water as there is nowhere for the water to leave the brake drum after it’s made its way inside.

What is the Difference Between Brake Drums and Disc Brakes

While brake drums and disc brakes have the same goal in mind- to bring your vehicle to a stop- they work in different ways and use different materials to get the job done.

First and foremost, a brake drum uses specialty brake shoes that press against the drum in order to cause enough friction to bring a car to a halt. Disc brakes, on the other hand, uses a longer process. When you press the brake pedal in a car using disc brakes, brake fluid immediately enters the caliper. The metal piston located inside the caliper presses against the brake pads, which in turn uses friction to press against the spinning rotor, stopping the vehicle.

Brake discs are typically more common and popular than brake drums because they have increased stopping power, dissipate heat easier, are completely self-adjusting, and provide a better feel on your brake pedal. There are many advantages to using disc brakes, but many still find brake drums their go-to as they are easily replaced, cost less, and still provide plenty of friction for braking.

How Can You Tell When Brake Drums Need to be Replaced

You always want to make sure that your brakes are working properly, whether you choose brake drums or brake discs. Ensuring that they are in prime condition can reduce the number of potential accidents you get into as a pair of brakes that need to be replaced simply won’t work as well.

There are three simple ways to tell if your brake drums need to be replaced:

The most noticeable thing that will occur to the driver is an inconsistent feel on the brake pedal. When the brake drums have become worn, it becomes obvious when the operator pushes down on the brake pedal. It may have to be pushed further down to get the same stopping effect, meaning the driver will notice a ‘long pedal’. If you notice that you have to push harder, or for longer than you used to, it may be a sign that brake drums should be replaced. You may also a subtle vibrating in your car when pushing down the brake pedal.
Your parking brake may feel loose as well. If you notice that you have to perform a harder yank to bring the car to a complete stop using the parking brake, then your brake drums are likely needing to be replaced. If you notice that your car moves about an inch after applying the parking brake, it may be a sign that the brake drums should be replaced. However, this could also mean that the parking brake is simply loose, which is an easier and more cost effective fix.
If you notice a scraping noise while pressing the brake pedal, it could be a sign that the brake shoes inside the brake drum have become so worn that the special coating for friction has worn down to the metal. Noticing a scraping noise while braking is a fairly big problem and should be looked at right away. It’s likely that the entire brake drum will need to be replaced.

How Much Does a Brake Drum Replacement Cost

Every shop will charge a set amount for replacing brake drums, but brake drum replacement is commonly far cheaper than brake disc replacement. This is due to the fact that the brake drum is an individual piece of equipment that can be popped off and on in under 5 minutes (most of the time). You can still expect to pay over $100 in most cases, but it is a quicker and cheaper fix.

Pros and Cons of Drum Brakes

Pros:

Drum brakes provide more friction and braking force than a disc brake.
Typically last longer than disc brakes because they have a larger contact area to handle more friction.
They are cheaper to manufacture, which means they are cheaper to have replaced.
Having drum brakes on the rear will generate overall lower temperatures.
Drum brakes typically have a lower frequency of needing maintenance as the materials used is better at resisting corrosion.

Cons:

Brake drums have the potential to be damaged from excessive amounts of heat, which can cause them to not work as well. This may leave you with a longer brake pedal and vibrations while braking.
The driver may experience long braking far more frequently than with brake discs. This simply means they have to press the brake pedal further down to get the same stopping effect.
Brake shoes can become glazed from excessive heat.
Brake drums can overheat, which in turn vaporizes the brake fluid.

Conclusion

Brake drums are handy pieces of equipment that can give your car the stopping power it needs, using friction caused by brake shoes pressing against the drum. However, they have a higher tendency to malfunction than brake discs, and should really only be used on the rear brakes where they won’t be affected by overheating, friction, and wear as often.

What Are Brake Drums?