Find Out What’s the Difference between Disc Brakes and Drum Brakes on Cars!

Disc brakes are one type of braking system used in cars to stop the vehicle’s motion. These brakes utilize discs that are connected to the wheels and work by pressing brake pads against the discs to generate friction, which slows down or stops the rotation of the wheels.

Disc brake are commonly used in high-speed or high-performance cars because they provide stronger and more stable braking compared to drum brakes. Additionally, disc brake have several other advantages, such as longer durability and consistent performance in various road conditions. Read the following article from TransTRACK for more detailed information!

Differences Between Disc Brakes and Drum Brakes in Cars

Disc brakes and drum brakes are two types of braking systems used in cars. Although both serve the purpose of reducing the vehicle’s speed, there are fundamental differences between the two.

Disc brakes utilize disc-shaped rotors attached to the car’s wheels. When the brake pedal is pressed, the brake caliper applies pressure on the brake pads, causing them to clamp against the discs and generate friction that slows down the wheel’s rotation. The advantages of disc brakes include more effective and responsive braking, allowing the vehicle to stop faster in emergency situations.

On the other hand, drum brakes work by using brake shoes located inside cylindrical drums attached to the car’s wheels. When the brake pedal is pressed, the brake shoes press against the inner surface of the drum, generating friction that reduces the wheel’s speed. The advantages of drum brakes are that they are cheaper and easier to install, but they are less effective in emergency braking situations.

In practice, most modern cars use disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear wheels. However, some luxury and high-performance vehicles use disc brakes on all wheels to enhance braking capability and reduce braking distance. Here is a more detailed explanation!

Brake Forms

In terms of their form, disc brakes and drum brakes exhibit significant differences.

Disc brakes have a flat disc shape and are mounted on the inner part of a car’s wheels. Typically, a Disc brakes consists of several components, namely the disc, caliper, brake pads, piston, and hydraulic system. When the brake pedal is pressed, hydraulic fluid flows into the caliper, which then presses the brake pads against the disc, generating frictional force that reduces the wheel’s speed.

On the other hand, drum brakes have a larger and more complex drum-shaped design. Drum brakes comprise several components, including the drum, brake shoes, springs, and hydraulic system. When the brake pedal is pressed, hydraulic fluid flows into the brake cylinder and pushes the brake shoes against the inside of the drum, generating frictional force that reduces the wheel’s speed.

The differences in form between disc brakes and drum brakes have an impact on braking performance, particularly in terms of effectiveness and responsiveness. Disc brakes have a simpler shape and are more effective in dissipating the heat generated during braking, making them more durable and capable of handling higher braking loads. In contrast, drum brakes have a more complex shape and face greater difficulty in dissipating heat during braking. As a result, the braking performance can decrease if overheating or excessive heat occurs within the brake system.

In this regard, disc brakes are often the preferred choice for vehicles that require high-performance and responsive braking, such as racing cars or luxury vehicles with large engines. On the other hand, drum brakes are typically used in commercial vehicles or passenger cars with small engines, as they require less expensive and simpler maintenance.

Working Principles of Disc Brakes and Drum Brakes

In terms of operation, disc brakes and drum brakes exhibit significant differences.

Disc brakes work based on the principle of frictional force generated by the brake pads pressing against the disc, which is mounted on the wheel. When the brake pedal is pressed, the piston in the brake caliper pushes the brake pads towards the disc, generating sufficient frictional force to reduce the wheel’s speed. During the braking process, heat is produced due to the friction between the brake pads and the disc. Therefore, disc brakes are equipped with cooling systems to dissipate heat from the disc and prevent overheating.

On the other hand, drum brakes work based on the principle of frictional force generated by the brake shoes pressing against the drum, which is mounted on the wheel. When the brake pedal is pressed, hydraulic fluid flows into the brake cylinder and pushes the brake shoes towards the inside of the drum, generating sufficient frictional force to reduce the wheel’s speed. Heat is also produced during the braking process due to the friction between the brake shoes and the drum. However, drum brakes do not require complex cooling systems like disc brakes because the drum’s larger mass allows it to absorb the heat generated.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Disc Brakes

Apart from their physical differences, the disparities between disc brakes and drum brakes on cars can also be observed in terms of their operating systems. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of disc brakes from a system perspective:

Advantages of Disc Brakes

1. Greater braking force: Disc brakes work by pressing the brake pads against the rotor, which is connected to the wheel. During this process, the rotating rotor generates a larger braking force compared to drum brakes.

2. Responsiveness and effectiveness: Disc brakes systems are more responsive and effective in reducing wheel speed due to their larger brake pads and proximity to the wheel. This allows disc brakes to provide more responsive and efficient braking, especially in emergency situations.

3. Easy repair and replacement: Although the cost of repairing or replacing disc brakes may be higher than drum brakes, they are relatively easier to repair and replace due to their accessible position.

4. Better heat resistance: Disc brakes are equipped with cooling systems, which make them more resistant to heat and overheating during intense braking.

Disadvantages of Disc Brakes

1. Higher cost and maintenance: Disc brake tend to have higher costs and maintenance requirements compared to drum brakes due to their larger brake pads and system complexity.

2. Prone to wear and damage: The rotor of disc brake is more susceptible to wear and damage due to the higher and continuous braking load.

3. Not suitable for low braking loads: Disc brake are less suitable for vehicles with low braking loads because they may provide excessive braking force, resulting in less effective braking.

4. Unsuitable for dusty environments: Disc brakes systems are more vulnerable to dirt and dust, which can reduce their effectiveness and durability.

5. Requires more frequent maintenance: Disc brake require more frequent maintenance compared to drum brakes due to the higher braking load and the complexity of the system.

These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of disc brake in terms of their operating systems. Despite the higher cost and maintenance requirements, the advantages of generating greater braking force, responsiveness, ease of repair and replacement, and heat resistance have made disc brake more popular in modern vehicles.

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Drum Brakes

Now let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of drum brakes in terms of their operating systems:

Advantages of Drum Brakes

1. Suitable for low braking loads: Drum brakes are better suited for vehicles with low braking loads because they provide smoother and less forceful braking.

2. Lower cost and maintenance: Drum brakes have lower costs and maintenance requirements compared to disc brake due to their simpler structure and easier accessibility.

3. Suitable for dusty environments: Drum brake systems are suitable for dusty environments as the brakes are enclosed within the drum, protecting them from dirt and dust.

4. Higher durability: Drum brakes tend to be more durable due to their simpler design and longer replacement intervals.

Disadvantages of Drum Brakes

1. Less responsive and effective: Drum brakes are less responsive and effective in reducing wheel speed due to their weaker braking force and distance from the wheel.

2. Requires more frequent maintenance: Although drum brakes have lower costs and maintenance requirements, they need more frequent maintenance due to their susceptibility to dirt and dust, which can reduce their effectiveness and durability.

3. Prone to overheating: Drum brakes can be susceptible to overheating during continuous and intense braking situations.

4. Requires more frequent replacement: Components of drum brakes, such as brake shoes and wheel cylinders, tend to wear out faster and require more frequent replacement.

5. Furthermore, drum brakes are more challenging to repair due to their hidden and less accessible system.

These are some of the advantages and disadvantages of drum brakes in terms of their operating systems. Despite the cost, maintenance, and higher durability advantages, the disadvantages such as less responsiveness and effectiveness, the need for more frequent maintenance, susceptibility to overheating, and difficulties in repair make drum brakes less popular in modern vehicles with higher and more intensive braking loads.

As vehicle owners, it is essential not only to understand the differences between disc brakes and drum brakes but also to perform regular maintenance and care for the braking system to ensure safety and driving comfort.

Therefore, TransTRACK provides a Vehicle Maintenance System service that can assist in maintaining the performance of the vehicle’s braking system, including both disc and drum brakes. This service includes routine maintenance, repairs, and replacement of damaged or worn brake components.

By utilizing TransTRACK’s Vehicle Maintenance System, you can easily monitor the condition of your vehicle’s braking system and perform regular maintenance. This will enhance safety and driving comfort while avoiding the risk of accidents caused by brake system failures.

Don’t hesitate to utilize TransTRACK’s Vehicle Maintenance System and keep your vehicle’s braking system in optimal condition for safe travels.