Marlow Heights Toyota Discusses Brake Types

Jun 24, 2015

When you are researching car specs or reading the window sticker, you will notice a difference in the types of brakes on the vehicles. Some vehicles have drum brakes, some have disc brakes, others have a combination of both, and to top it off, some disc brakes are ventilated. What is the difference and how does it affect you? Marlow Heights Toyota discusses brake types.

What are Drum Brakes?

Drum brakes are what the name suggests. The brakes look like small drums. Inside the drum is a shoe. When the driver presses the brake pedal, a piston in the drum pushes the brake shoe, and the pressure forces the shoe to the inside of the drum. The drum uses friction and heat to slow the vehicle. Drum brakes have more components, they are heavier, and they can be harder to service, but they are less expensive than disc brakes. Therefore, many manufacturers use drum brakes on the rear and disc brakes on the front of a vehicle. Emergency braking mechanisms are easily incorporated into drum brake designs. Only a cable actuation mechanism is required. When the emergency mechanism is engaged, the cable pulls the two shoes apart.

What are Disc Brakes?

Instead of a large drum, disc brakes have a rotor and caliper, which has brake pads.