ARE YOU AWARE OF A WORN BRAKE DRUM IN YOUR CAR? LEARN ABOUT THE SIGNS
Even though most modern cars now have disc brakes, brake technology has come a long way, and drum brakes are still commonly used, especially on rear axles. If your car has drum brakes, knowing how they malfunction and what warning signs to look out for can significantly improve both safety and repair costs. Many drivers ignore early symptoms until performance noticeably declines because brake drums typically wear down slowly.
What are the first indications of a damaged brake drum in your car?
Rarely do worn brake drums break overnight. Before they become dangerous, they usually give plenty of warning, but these warnings are frequently subtle and simple to overlook. Strange braking noises, a brake pedal that feels different, decreased stopping power, or vibrations that weren’t there before are common symptoms. Additionally, some drivers have issues with parking brakes or uneven braking, particularly when the rear drums are involved.
Because drum brakes are enclosed, problems within the drum may go unnoticed for a considerable amount of time. The behavior of the system may be impacted by dirt, worn linings, loose hardware, or uneven wear. Observing how your car feels when you brake is frequently the first indication that something is wrong.
Is your car making noise during braking?
Unusual noise when braking is one of the first and most obvious signs of worn brake drums. The friction material eventually becomes too thin as the brake shoes deteriorate, allowing the shoe’s metal backing to come into contact with the drum. You can typically hear scraping, grinding, or harsh metallic noises when this occurs, particularly at slower speeds or when stopping.
If internal hardware deteriorates or becomes loose over time, noise may also originate from within the drum. Rattling or scraping noises can be produced when springs, retainers, or other parts move out of place. Sometimes debris, such as dirt or tiny stones, becomes trapped inside the drum, resulting in sporadic noises that seem to come and go based on road conditions and speed.
Are soft or spongy brake pedals a sign of a broken brake drum?
Although it is less frequent than other symptoms, worn or damaged brake drums can occasionally be connected to a soft or spongy brake pedal. A cracked or overly worn drum may not give the brake shoes a firm surface to press against, which could have a minor impact on the feel and responsiveness of the pedal.
However, air in the hydraulic brake system rather than a drum problem alone is more frequently the cause of a soft pedal. Under pressure, air compresses, reducing braking force and giving the pedal a mushy feel. Although worn drums may accompany the symptom, bleeding the brake system is typically necessary to restore appropriate hydraulic pressure.
Is your car requiring less braking force?
The vehicle’s overall braking performance gradually deteriorates as brake shoes and drums wear down. The brakes just aren’t able to grasp the drum as well as they should because there isn’t as much friction material available. Longer stopping distances are frequently the result of this, particularly when braking suddenly or in an emergency.
Drivers can easily adjust without realizing how much performance has been lost because the loss of braking power usually occurs gradually. As time goes on, the car needs more pedal force to stop, and the brakes become less reliable. Early treatment of worn drums helps avert hazardous situations and stops additional damage to other braking parts.
Is your car’s brake pedal vibrating?
A vibrating brake pedal may indicate that the brake drums are no longer perfectly round or have become warped. The brake shoes do not even come into contact with the drum surface when this occurs. Rather, they produce vibrations that return through the pedal by grabbing harder in some places and less in others.
Vibrations should never be disregarded, even though drum brakes typically produce less pulsation than disc brakes. If the wear is within reasonable bounds, warped drums can frequently be machined; however, severe damage typically requires replacement. Driving with vibrating brakes reduces braking consistency and speeds up wear.
Are you facing problems in parking?
Today, drum brakes are most frequently found in rear braking systems, which are directly connected to the parking brake. The parking brake may find it difficult to hold the car firmly when the rear brake drums are worn out or out of adjustment, particularly on slopes or uneven terrain.
But it’s crucial to keep in mind that the drums themselves aren’t always the source of parking brake issues.
Similar symptoms may be caused by stretched cables or improper adjustments. To find out if the problem is inside the drum or somewhere else in the parking brake system, a thorough inspection is required.
Are you having trouble getting consistent brake power?
Sometimes, worn or damaged brake drums are the cause of uneven braking, which is when the car pulls to one side while stopping. Vehicle stability is impacted when braking force becomes unbalanced across the axle due to one drum or pair of shoes wearing differently than the other.
However, uneven braking is not always a problem with the drum brakes in the Toyota pickup Land Cruiser. Similar behavior may be caused by alignment issues, uneven tire wear, or suspension problems. Any pulling or uneven response during braking should be examined right away because braking balance has a direct impact on safety.
What is the actual function of a brake drum?
The brake drums rotate in unison with the wheel, tire, and hub assembly when the vehicle is in motion. In contrast to disc brake rotors, drums are enclosed parts that contain the brake shoes. In addition to protecting the braking surfaces, this design makes it more difficult to detect wear without disassembly.
Hydraulic pressure causes the wheel cylinder to push the brake shoes outward when the brake pedal is depressed. Friction from the shoes pressing against the inner surface of the rotating drum slows the wheel and the drum. Springs pull the shoes back into place when the pedal is released, enabling the wheel to spin freely once more.
Where to find the brake drums in your car?
Drum brakes were frequently installed on all four wheels of older cars. Although some models still have drum brakes on the back, the majority of cars now have disc brakes on the front. Cost, longevity, and braking performance are all balanced in this configuration for daily driving.
Circular metal parts installed behind the wheel are called brake drums. The drum rotates with the wheel until braking force is applied, in contrast to the brake shoes, which stay in place. Due to their enclosure, problems within the drum frequently arise gradually and silently.
How to properly test the brake drum?
In order to test brake drums, the car must typically be lifted, the wheels removed, and the drums removed for examination.
The condition of the internal hardware, brake shoes, and wheel cylinders can be examined for contamination, wear, and leaks when they are exposed. To identify whether the fluid on the backing plate is brake fluid or grease, it must be identified.
Another important factor is the brake shoe lining’s thickness. To avoid metal-to-metal contact, the lining must be replaced when it becomes too thin. The drum itself should be examined for surface damage or scoring, which, depending on its severity, may call for machining or complete replacement. Because of the safety risks associated with drum brake systems, a professional inspection is highly advised if you are not familiar with them.
What is the replacement cost of a brake drum?
The average cost of replacing brake drums ranges from $225 to $375, depending on the car and labor costs. Parts typically make up a large percentage of the cost, and labor varies according to the system’s complexity and the drums’ accessibility. Although safety and accuracy are important, drivers with mechanical experience may be able to save money by performing the task themselves.
To maintain balanced braking performance, brake drums should always be replaced in pairs on the same axle. Many technicians also advise replacing the wheel cylinders and brake shoes simultaneously because the system is already disassembled during replacement. Even though brake drums can last a long time—up to 200,000 miles under the right circumstances—when they need to be replaced, doing the work correctly helps guarantee long-term dependability and safety.