Rear Disc Brakes - Part 1

[MrAxesyko28]

Thanks



[MrAxesyko28]

Well since I have changed my brakes every now and then I hear a thud from the back of my car kinda like I have something rolling around in my trunk but I don't.. could it be my drum brakes.. changed shoes and drum in back and rotor and pads in front so everything is new.. it's been 5 months since I changed them

[MrPcmedic]

@MrAxesyko28

Try rebleeding the brakes for the possibility of a wheel cylinder becoming airbound. Also check brake pad hold down pins, as possibly one or both have come loose. If it is a rear wheel drive car, you may have a drive shaft universal joint that is going bad. Your self adjusters, if you have them on your rear brakes, should be checked too, as it prevents one side to make pad contact and the other not to.

[MrAxesyko28]

I have a 2002 Chevy Cavalier with drum brakes on back and pads in the front.. Would it be better to change the rear to pads instead of drums?... Pros and cons please.?

[northeasteg6]

@MrAxesyko28 only if you can do it, and you intend to drive the car in the way that you will need rear disk brakes

[leaper1950]

How does the position of the calliper possibly effect the operation of the brakes? Does it matter if it is on the top or the bottom? On the front or the back of the rotor? Does it have a better clamping effect if it is at the back? Or is it more effective mounted at the front? - HOW?

[northeasteg6]

@leaper1950 the bleeder needs to be at the very top of the caliper

[leaper1950]

@northeasteg6 Isn't that just so logical? Because that's where the air will be

during bleeding

[leaper1950]

@northeasteg6

Naturally the bleeder needs to be at the top.

[vwbobby]

The idiots who said discs are better than drums need to learn a thing or 2 about physics. Surface area. The only disadvantage is wet weather braking, drums tend to collect water.

Semi-trucks use drums for a reason. ;)

[TheSeptu]

The idiot that posted drums are better needs to wonder then why sports cars and formula 1 and nascar race cars use disc brakes and not drum if they're so good?

Trucks use drums because they protect the brakes better from road debris because they are an enclosed system.

[leaper1950]

@vwbobby Disc brakes - easier manufacturing, better heat dissipation,

less complicated, easier servicing, not effected by water,

no build-up of dust and as somone else commented - why don't

race cars use drums? - get real!

[deathbychicken]

@vwbobby I agree with your point about friction, hence anything big and heavy uses drums! The problem with drums is the need for regular adjustment and inspection. A build up of dirt or grit can destroy shoes in a few days. Drums tend to stay damp.

Under heavy braking conditions they can overheat causing a pocket of air to form under the shoe that expands and renders them useless. Uneven friction can also cause weaving and disastrous results.

Disc self adjust, self clean and easy maintenance.

[XavierHolland]

I still have a car that's got disc in the front and drum in the back. An old 96 dodge neon. The drum brakes in the back hardly ever engage fully and the front brakes are always wearing down. Drum brakes are not better than disc however, they just last longer. Too much pressure though and you'll split brake shoes really fast.

[northeasteg6]

@XavierHolland there are still cars manufactured with drums.

[mercenaryg0d]

Well good thing I watched this, I will never get discs with ports lol

[chicano135]

I have to agree... DRum Brakes SUCK ASS WHEN compared to DISK.. plus u can brake the drum pad or crack them... I SHOULD KNOW>. i had it happen.. BECause of too much heat and other factors.

[nickmiletich]

Drum brakes and disc brakes have equal braking ability? Uhh, I don't thing so guys.