I've been taking time to educate myself more about cars in general and specifically 1970s cars (Duh). While I've been learning I still have a question I haven't had answered. What's so bad or dangerous about drum brakes? Are there really any downsides? Is it nescecary to convert them? I don't want to obsess about something that may not be fully needed. I figured out what all maintenance and work is needed for safe operating and all. I think I'll be happy with drum brakes for awhile. I know that my Maverick can stop on a friggin' dime the way it is now.
Nothing wrong with drum brakes on a daily driver. Look at the brakes on a tractor trailer and you will see drum brakes. Drum brake has more friction contact than disc brakes. The only down side of drum brakes is when they get wet driving through a puddle of water. Drum brakes can't shed the water as fast as disc brakes. Disc brakes are cheaper to maintain. Drum brakes have more mass weight and moving parts.
They require alot more pressure for the amount of the braking you get. They have alot of (small) parts. They need to be adjusted correctly and work properly or it affects the steering charistics during braking. There not cool (to have in front)
In hard braking situations, as the nose dip and the rear end lifts, front brakes handle most of the load. Drums can handle a few hard stops, but will fade quickly. The pads glaze, I believe the cant get rid of the heat fast enough. Out back drums are very reliable as it is just impossible to generate those types of forces while the rear is rising and the weight is shifting to the front wheels. Backs simply lock up. If you are conservative in your driving style, drums will do the job, but not as reliably as disk. Disc is the way to go if you ask me.
In addition, they're more susceptible to fading. They get hot faster than discs, stay hot longer, and don't work too well for hard and/or constant braking like you might encounter in a road race, autocross, or when driving in the mountains. And maybe it's just because I'm not used to the way drums feel in the front, but for me, I'm more prone to lock them up.
my problem with them is that every one else on the street today has disc and if they stop hard and fast your out of luck with the drums...
I drove my car daily for over 28,000 miles with drums. The best thing I ever did to this car was convert to discs. Drums are unpredictable at best when it's wet out. Mine would almost never say in proper adjustment, so they always pulled to one side or another. The shoes would wear out fast as well. I couldn't get more then about 12,000 miles out of a set of shoes on the front. Pedal effort was a b!%ch. I guess if you drive like a granny, they might be alright. But where I live, driving like a granny is not really an option. You go with the flow, or get your a$$ ran over. I put the discs on two years ago, and have not had to touch them since. It takes far less pedal effort, they are always reliable in wet conditions, and I can take my hand off the steering wheel and the car stops dead on straight.
I suppose what I'm really worried about is the price. I know I can go the Explorer route on the front, but I think I'd have to have a shop do it.The $ required makes me nervous.
That's a good point about the front brakes. But will the ones I have in the rear still be dangerous? I plan to go daily driver with this one and where I live I will probably need to slam on the brakes one day. I'm planning to do a lot of repairs and upgrades soon. I think I'll put that on the list. I hope I can be a cheap bastard and find an explorer in a junkyard.
You would do Explorer brakes on the back...not front... Drums are at best...sufficient.As stated above...they are fade prone in performance applications...they are VERY unpredictable in the wet and in need of constant adjustment when on the front of a car.Mav/granada front disc swaps are the best way to make the car SAFER as well as a better performer when it comes to braking in panic situations as well as normal use.low maintinnance is also a big plus.Do the discs for safety sake at least...or...be sure to leave alot of room around you when you drive so you can get out of trouble without having to rely on the brakes doing what you want.
Rear brakes are pretty much along for the ride on a street driven daily driver.They contribute about 30%stopping power on a street car(tops).They are simply there to keep the back end from passing the front end in a panic situation.Rear drum brakes on a car will go 70/80 K before needing to be replaced...thats how little they contribute.
That's the first thing I noticed is all the dang parts. The one time I did have to slam on the brakes the rear tires did kick to the right.
Yeah. I don't think I'll ever have the luxury of having much of a space cushion here. I'm glad I know now that the Explorer ones are for the back. I'm making it a priority now that I'm better informed. Better safe than dead. Thank you.
God. When I read the specs and other things about drums while I was looking around it didn't sound so bad. Now I know why the little metro I just junked had so many dents and dings. It had drums. Whoo. I'm lucky I have you guys watching my back.
