Why Do We Use Disc and Drum Brakes in The Front and Rear Respectively?

You might have been driving your car for years, but do you know why disc and drum brakes are used in the front and rear respectively? 

Generally, people don’t have the accurate answer to this question that eventually leads to the wrong machinery choice for their car.

Well, get to know the reasons for using the disc in the front and drum in the rear, right now!

Reasons For Using Disc and Drum Brakes In The Front and Rear Likewise

Brakes are the imperative safety features of any vehicle. The disc and drum brakes serve their different usage and work in the rear and the front of the car. To know which one must be put-up to which part, check out the following reasons.

1. Brake Capability

Every time when you push the brake, out of the whole weight of the vehicle, only thirty-percent is transferred to the back and seventy-percent to the front. 

When talking about the brake handling capacity of disc and drum brakes, the most liable disc brakes are the ones that you just need to use for handling such massive weight. 

Conversely, the drum brakes are cheaper and can wear out straightforwardly due to incapability to put up with the weight.

Hence, it gives you a rationale to install the most efficient braking system to the front i.e. the disc brakes of course.

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2. Economic Factor

To clarify the usage of disc and drum brakes in the front and rear, the economical factors have their own causes. 

The manufacturing cost of disc brakes is excessively much higher than the drum brakes due to its entire structure, designed especially for offering the resilience to stop your entire vehicle. 

Along with the important components, the lodging of disc brakes includes a metal drum, small caliper (impede the vehicle), and a slim rotor as well. 

By consulting the experts or using their maintenance tips, one can amplify the permanence of these brakes as well.

Unlike discs, drum brakes are affordable due to the need of a few moving parts. When using drum brakes in the rear there sharing is easy to achieve between parking and regular brakes.

But, when it comes to driving in the rain, disc brakes work better. So, if you are expecting greater performance from your vehicle, go for disc brakes. Contradictory, to make driving more economical nothing could be better than drum brakes.

3. Hardware Prerequisites

As discussed before, the disc brake demands additional hardware and elevated hydraulic pressure in order to improve the performance. 

But, all these components help the brakes to cool down efficiently and quickly making them less vulnerable to desertion or wrapping with the soaring temperature.

Surprisingly, Drum brakes have no caliper bracketry and demand low hardware requirement, as everything is shareable within its core.

In addition, they also come with a minor master cylinder near the pedal, since it cannot take much pressure. The less fastening of hardware results in wrapping and fading due to high-temperature as they cannot cool easily.

FAQs

1. Is it possible to use disc brakes in the rear of a vehicle?

It is possible to use disc brakes in the rear, and some high-performance and sports vehicles do use four-wheel disc brake setups for improved braking performance.

However, this configuration can be more expensive and may not be necessary for everyday driving since the front brakes handle the majority of the braking force.

2. Can I upgrade my vehicle’s braking system to have disc brakes in the rear?

You can upgrade a vehicle’s braking system to have disc brakes in the rear, but it may require significant modifications and can be expensive.

It’s essential to consult with a professional mechanic or automotive expert to ensure that such an upgrade is feasible and safe for your specific vehicle.

3. Are there any specific situations where rear drum brakes are better than disc brakes?

Rear drum brakes can be advantageous in situations where cost-effectiveness and simplicity are prioritized over high-performance braking.

They are also well-suited for vehicles that primarily engage in low-speed, stop-and-go driving, where the rear brakes don’t experience as much heat buildup.

4. What happens if I neglect maintenance on my rear drum brakes?

Neglecting maintenance on rear drum brakes can lead to reduced braking performance, increased stopping distances, and a higher risk of brake failure.

5. Do all vehicles follow the front disc, rear drum brake configuration?

No, while the front disc, rear drum configuration is common, it’s not universal. Some vehicles, particularly high-performance or luxury cars, use four-wheel disc brake setups for improved braking performance.

The choice of braking system can vary depending on the vehicle’s intended use and design.

6. Are there any advantages to having disc brakes on all four wheels of a vehicle?

Yes, having disc brakes on all four wheels can provide consistent and high-performance braking across the entire vehicle.

This setup is often preferred in sports cars and performance vehicles, where superior braking performance is essential for handling and safety.

7. How can I tell if my vehicle has disc brakes in the front and drum brakes in the rear?

You can usually identify the type of brakes on your vehicle by inspecting the wheels. Look through the spokes of the wheel to see if there is a shiny, flat disc visible near the front wheels.

For the rear wheels, you might see a round drum-like structure. Additionally, consulting your vehicle’s owner’s manual or contacting the manufacturer can provide this information.

8. Can I convert my rear drum brakes to disc brakes for better performance?

It is possible to convert rear drum brakes to disc brakes for improved braking performance. However, this is a complex and often expensive modification that may require specific parts and expertise.

It’s advisable to consult with a qualified mechanic or automotive specialist to assess the feasibility and cost of such an upgrade for your specific vehicle.

Check out this video from Donut to learn more details about how brake works in general!

Conclusion

These factors are enough to pick the best one for your car. The disc brake appeals to quick braking and durability. 

The drum brakes approach the most affordable driving. So, use the above reasons to pick the best fit from the disc and drum brakes now!