Disc Brakes vs. Drum Brakes
Most modern vehicles use either drum brakes or disc brakes, and sometimes manufacturers use both. Drum brakes and disc brakes have different benefits and problems, which is why they can work well together. It is essential to understand the differences to decide which brakes you use and where on your vehicle. The drum brake has shoes that press against a metal drum housed inside the wheel to stop the vehicle. The disc brake has a disc-shaped rotor inside the wheel. When you press the brake, a caliper will squeeze the rotor, stopping the car. A Brief History of Car Brakes Both brakes are far more impressive than the original braking system. Early vehicles used a block of wood that pressed against the wheel to stop it. Cars used this braking method until pneumatic rubber wheels were invented in the late 1890s by Édouard Michelin. The wooden block would grind down the rubber quickly with these new wheels, making it an ineffective and overly expensive braking option. The disc brake and [...]
