The ability to slow down is one of the most important traits of a vehicle. Without this trait, cars are like wrecking machines. For your car to gradually slow down and come to a complete stop, it is equipped by car manufacturers with a braking system. High-performance and advanced vehicles use a more advanced system capable of superior braking power.
Having trouble with your disc and drum brakes? You can replace them using brake disc and drum kits that you can easily find on CarParts.com. Here’s everything you need to know about brake disc and drum kits—what it’s for, what to consider when buying one, and more.
Despite the difference in terms of types, technology, and mechanism, automotive braking systems all feature either disc or drum brakes. The two main types of braking mechanisms both work with friction to stop the wheels’ rotation.?
While it’s true that disc and drum brakes use completely different methods to stop the car, they have one similar function and that is to slow or stop your car. In this day and age, there are a lot of cars that use front disc brakes and rear disc brakes to have the advantages of both.
Disc brakes have a disc-shaped metal rotor that spins with and within the wheel. A disc brake is stopped by disc brake pads that are attached to the brake calipers mounted on a section of the rotor.
When the brake pedal is pressed, a cable or a hydraulic pump then applies pressure on all four calipers. The brake lines lead to the pistons that squeeze the pads on the surface of the rotor. The friction between the rotor and the brake pads slows the wheel down and, eventually, into a complete stop as more pressure is applied.
Drum brakes are far more complex than disc brakes as they feature more subcomponents within the assembly. This kind of brake has a drum casing with a set of shoes inside. The set of shoes is crucial for stopping the drum from rotating along with the wheel. When the brake pedal is pressed, the shoe squeezes against the sides of the drum. The friction between the shoe and the sidewall of the drum slows down the rotation of the wheel.
As mentioned, a lot of cars nowadays have front disc brakes and rear drum brakes. Brakes can fail due to several reasons and if they do, it is best to replace them than have them fixed. For you to replace them, you’ll need a brake disc and drum kit. This kit includes all the components you’ll be needing to replace the brakes of your car, including a set of brake discs and drums, disc brake pads, and all the necessary hardware for installation.
Drum and disc brakes have a certain lifespan according to their specification. However, they are also susceptible to damage caused by external factors. Good thing there are symptoms to tell if your car’s brake discs and drums are failing. Below are the most common signs that the brake discs and drums on your car need replacement.
The things that can go wrong with the actual rotor or drum of your brakes can often cause the brake pedal to behave weirdly. There are instances where the brake pedal can vibrate excessively. Keep in mind that there can be other causes for this symptom, as well as the other symptoms in this list.
If the rotor or shoes inside the brake drum become too worn out, they may result in grinding noises when pressed on by the pads or onto the sidewall of the drum, respectively. Make sure to inspect the rotors or the inside of the brake drum if you suspect a worn rotor or drum shoes and avoid jumping into conclusions.
When the parking brake fails to function properly, it could be a brake pad, rotor, or drum shoe problem. Electric and hydraulic parking brakes are a separate system that engages the brakes when a lever or a button is engaged. If the drum or disc brakes on your vehicle is failing, the parking brake may not engage properly. If you encounter such symptoms, your best bet is to bring your car to the mechanic or thoroughly inspect the components.
Aftermarket brake disc and drum kits on CarParts.com cost around $133 to $574. There are packages that include a complete set of brake discs and drums while there are those that only include a pair of brake discs.
Always remember that when buying a replacement part, make sure to check your vehicle’s specification first before making a transaction. Better yet, input the year, make, and model of your car in the filter tab under the search bar of our website. This feature will narrow down the results to all parts compatible with your vehicle.