What is a rear brake drum?
Drum brakes are an older style of brake, not common on today’s vehicles. When they are used it is only on the rear axle. Instead of a caliper that clamps brake pads against a rotor, a drum brake system has a wheel cylinder with pistons that push brake shoes out against the inside of a spinning drum.
What year did drum brakes stop being used?
1986
Now practically all cars use disc brakes on the front wheels, and many use disc brakes on all four wheels. In the United States, the Jeep CJ-5 (manufactured by AM General) was the final automobile (produced for the United States Postal Service) to use front drum brakes when it was phased out in 1986.
How do you replace rear drum brakes?
Steps Put on an asbestos respirator. Remove the hubcap and loosen the lug nuts. Spray the hub of the wheel with a penetrating oil such as PB Blaster. Grab the brake drum by the edges and pull it off. Note: some brake drums are held on with screws so you will need to remove those first. Once the drum is off take a look at it.
Are my drum brakes going bad?
One of the first symptoms of bad or failing drum brakes is unusual brake pedal feel . If the brake drums are worn excessively they can cause vibrations that may be felt in the pedal. Worn drums may also cause shuddering or pulsating that will become noticeable once you step on the pedal.
When to replace brake drums?
Most car mechanics and makers say you should replace your car’s drum brake lining when it has worn down to about 1/8 inches or less. You can tell when this happens by measuring the lining with a tape measure. You should plan on having to replace them about every 12,000 miles, or a year of use, whichever comes first.
Do I need to replace my brake drums?
Since the brakes are arguably the car’s most vital safety feature, brake parts should never be allowed to fail. Rather, timely repair or replacement is always the best course of action. There are two telltale signs that your brake drums need to be replaced, indicated by noise and feeling.