Chapter Forty-Seven

Drum Brakes
 Objectives

• Explain how drum brakes operate.

• Identify the major components of a typical
drum brake and describe their functions.
• Explain the difference between duo-servo
and non-servo drum brakes.
• Clean and inspect a drum brake assembly.
 Objectives (Cont’d)

• Recognize conditions that adversely affect

the performance of drums, shoes, linings,
and related hardware.
• Reassemble a drum brake after servicing.
• Explain how typical drum parking brakes
operate.
• Adjust a typical drum parking brake.
 Basic Parts of a Drum Brake

• Drum and hub assembly

• Brake shoes
• Backing plate
• Hydraulic cylinder
• Holddown springs and adjusting mechanism
• Parking brake
Drum Brake
 Drum Brake Designs

• Duo-servo
– Are self energizing.
– Are typically used on larger vehicles.
• Non-servo (leading-trailing)
– Have no self energizing.
– Are used on smaller vehicles.
 Common Drum Brake Problems
• Brakes dragging or • Excessive pedal travel
grabbing • Noisy operation
• Pulling to one side • Brake chatter
• Wheel locking up • Poor braking
• Hard pedal
 Drum Conditions
• Scored surface • Threaded surface
• Bell-mouthed • Heat checks
• Concave • Cracks
• Convex • Out-of-round
• Hard spots
Concave and Convex Drums
Using a Drum Gauge
 Parking Brakes

• Are designed to keep the vehicle from

rolling when stopped, not to stop a moving
vehicle.
• Are not part of the hydraulic system.
• May be hand or foot operated.
• Some vehicles have a vacuum-operated
release.
Typical Hand-Operated Parking
Brake
 Summary

• Drum brakes are still used on the rear

wheels of many cars and light trucks.
• Common drum brake designs include duo-
servo and non-servo.
• The primary or leading shoe is toward the
front of the vehicle, and the secondary or
trailing shoe is toward the rear.
 Summary (Cont’d)

• Brake lining can be riveted or bonded to the

shoes.
• Servicing drum brakes requires performing
a complete system inspection.
• When servicing drum brakes, extreme care
must be taken to avoid generating asbestos
dust.