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Brake drum with hydraulic drive consists of two blocks with friction shoes that are installed on the back plate. At the same time lower ends of the shoes are floated to the supports and upper ends rest against the wheel cylinder pistons through the steel cotters. Coupling spring provides shoes’ pressure to the cylinder pistons.

Due to this there is a gap between the brake drum and shoes when the brake is off. When the liquid begins to flow out the drive into the wheel cylinder, its pistons widen out and move the shoes to the brake drum, which rotates together with the wheel hub. Shoes’ friction force that arises from the brake drum brakes the wheel. When the fluid pressure on the pistons stops, the spring returns the shoes to their original position. Thus, braking ends.

This design of brake drum is not perfect. When braking, the front brake shoe works against the rotation of the wheels in forward and is pressed against the drum with more force than the rear one. This is the first reason why front and rear shoes unevenly wear out. That is why the front shoe is longer than the rear. It is also often advised to swap the shoes from time to time. Another construction of the brake drum provides that the shoes’ supports are located on opposite sides on the brake disc and the drive of each shoe comes from the separate hydraulic cylinder. This contributes to greater brake torque and even wear of the shoes at each wheel.

As for the drum with pneumatic drive, its main difference is the design of the shoes release device, which uses an expansion cam, driven by a lever on its axis. If you have any problems with buying brake drum, steering knuckle or central locking, we advise you to click on our online shop. It is the place where you will find high-quality parts at low prices.

What should you know about brake drum replacement: lifetime limits, common defects and their signs, tips and recommendations

Service life of the component is not specified by manufacturers. It depends on driving style, including frequency of emergency brakings.

Usually, the drum requires replacement due to wear, which results in changed shape and increased inner diameter of the component.

Usually, pedal vibration and screeching at braking, shortening or increasing of brake pedal travel, spontaneous changing of vehicle movement trajectory at braking indicate a fault of the drum brake mechanism. Sometimes wear of the drum leads to depressurization of the system.

To perform a DIY diagnostics of rear brake drums, you need to inspect them visually. Deformation, grooves and cracks indicate fault of parts. Also you need to measure the component with a vernier caliper. Its inner diameter should not be more than stated by the manufacturer.

In order to replace the component, immobilize the wheels with chocks and make sure that the parking brake is not applied. Lift the needed body side using a jack and remove the wheel. After this, remove mounting screws of the drum and disconnect it from the hub. Clean the mounting seat, treat the hub with graphite lube. After installation of a new component, assemble the unit in reverse order.

Brake drums should be replaced in pairs. During installation of new components it is also recommended to replace hub bearings and brake shoes as well.