because disc brakes provide more uniform torque throughout than drum brakes during braking..
In case of cost..drum brake is better than disc brake.
The drum brakes are in the rear of most passenger cars and trucks, disc brakes are typically on the front of the vehicle. It is also the most widely used brake than any other brake style.
No, they are inferior to disc brakes. Drum brakes were used from the beginning of the auto up until the late 60s. Drum brakes are more prone to overheating than disc brakes. Disc brakes also shed water much better than drum brakes which improves stopping distance in wet conditions. Disc brakes apply pressure more evenly than drum brakes thus improving stopping distance. Disc brakes are superior in every way.
Disc brake pads " clamp " on each side of the rotor when the brake pedal is pressedBrake shoes spread apart so they contact the inside of the brake drum when the brake pedal is pressedAssuming everything is working properlyDisc brakes have two brake pads that squeeze on a ( rotor ) plate , one brake pad oneach side of the rotorDrum brakes have two brake shoes that spread apart inside a brake drumDisk brakes have ( 2 ) brake pads that squeeze on each side of the brake rotor( brake disk ) when the brakes are applied . Drum brakes have ( 2 ) brake shoes thatspread apart inside the brake drum when the brakes are appliedThe Ford Explorer , starting with the 1995 model , had disk brakes on the rear insteadof drum brakesA drum brake looks a bit like a cooking pot that's rotating around the axle. Inside, and not rotating are two semicircular pads that can be forced apart, towards the inside surface of the pot to slow the rotation. Instead of a pot a disc brake has a disc rotating around the axle, and then at one place there's a clamp that the disc is passing through. When braking the clamp closes down and pinches the disc, much like a human catching a frisbee, to slow the vehicle down. Discs have better cooling while drums are simpler to manufacture.Disc brakes are designed around a rotor that 2 disc clamp onto to stop the vehicle. Drum brakes expand against a drum where 2 shoes expand to stop the vehicle. The action of clamping is more efficient than expanding to stop a vehicle. This makes disc brakes superior to drum brakes.
The major disadvantage of disc brakes compared to drum brakes is their susceptibility to reduced performance in wet conditions. While disc brakes generally provide better stopping power and heat dissipation, they can be more prone to water accumulation, which may lead to temporary reduced effectiveness until they dry out. Additionally, disc brakes can be more expensive to manufacture and maintain than drum brakes.
Disc brakes work by using a rotor that spins with the wheel and a caliper that houses brake pads. When the brake pedal is pressed, hydraulic fluid forces the caliper to squeeze the pads against the rotor, creating friction that slows the vehicle. Drum brakes, on the other hand, consist of a cylindrical drum attached to the wheel and brake shoes that expand outward against the drum when the brake pedal is pressed. This also generates friction, slowing down the vehicle, but drum brakes tend to be less efficient than disc brakes under heavy use.
Disc brakes generally experience less fade than drum brakes under heavy use. This is because disc brakes have better heat dissipation due to their exposed design, allowing them to cool more effectively. In contrast, drum brakes can trap heat, leading to increased brake fluid temperatures and reduced braking performance. Overall, disc brakes are typically more reliable in preventing fade during prolonged braking situations.
Rear drum brakes, that lock up during heartbreaking quicker than the front brakes, can be adjusted. The rear brake pads need to be backed off.
Just google how to replace disc brakes for a good description with pictures, or drum brakes if you are doing the rears. Disc is very simple job (less than an hour), drum not so much (can take 4 hours the first time you do it).
Disc brakes tend to dissipate heat better and do not collect nearly as much dust as drum brakes (which traps the brake dust in the drum with nowhere to go), so disc brakes will work better as a rule. Pad wear tends to be more even. Also, the rear wheel cylinders do not rust out and fail as often as with drum brakes.The drawbacks are with discs are:1) When using metal-based pads (common these days), disc rotors tend to warp far more often, especially on the front. They will tend to squeal more unless anti-squeal shims are fitted to the back of the pads.2) Drum brakes warm up faster in very cold weather.3) Loose gravel stones wedged between the rotor and calipers will cause damage.4) When driving through wheel-deep water, disc brakes (especially with metal-based pads) do not work as well as drums until the rotors spin the water off.5) When used as a parking brake, rear drums tend to work better.There is no situation they are better. Disc brakes are superior in every way.When used as a parking brake the drums tend to work better.
Front brakes provide about 70% of stopping force. Disc brakes have an advantage over drum brakes in that they can provide more stopping force without overheating (and thus loosing their stopping efficiency). I believe drum brake units are less costly to manufacture than disc brakes, so using them on the rear also saves manufacturing costs.
There are three main types of bicycle brake systems: rim brakes, disc brakes, and drum brakes. Rim brakes are the most common and are located on the wheel rims. They are lightweight and easy to maintain but can be less effective in wet conditions. Disc brakes are located on the wheel hub and provide better stopping power and performance, especially in wet conditions. Drum brakes are less common and are located inside the wheel hub. They are durable and low maintenance but can be heavier and less efficient than disc brakes. Overall, disc brakes are considered to offer the best performance and functionality among the three types of brake systems.