
Drum vs. Disc Brakes
Your brakes are one of the most important features on your car. But, how much do you really know about them? Here is a quick comparison of drum vs. disc brakes.
Drum Brakes
Drum brakes are called that because the braking components are housed inside a drum-shaped cylinder attached to the wheel. Inside the drum are braking shoes. When the brake pedal is pressed, it pushes these shoes against the inside of the drum causing the wheels to slow down. Because the shoes are kept within the drum, it can cause excess heat to build up inside the drum under heavy braking conditions, causing the brakes to lose some of their stopping power.
Disc Brakes
The majority of brakes used on vehicles today are disc brakes. Their design and ultimate stopping power are superior to drum brakes. As opposed to having the components inside a drum, disc brakes use a rotor, caliper, and brake pads. The caliper has two brake pads, one on each side of the rotor, that squeeze together when the brakes are engaged. Since all components are exposed to the air, they are much less likely to overheat.
We at Chip Wynn Motors want you and your vehicle to be safe, so if you have any questions about your vehicle’s braking system, be sure to have it checked out.