Drum Brake and Brake Springs
The brake is one of the most important safety features of every car. It is what allows cars to slow down and stop. There are different types of brake systems. One of the most commonly used are the drum brakes. These systems are composed of backing plate, brake springs, drum, shoe, wheel cylinder and other small components like pins.
With a drum brake, two semi-circular shoes are position inside the drum that is attached to the wheel and spins with it. When you step on the brake, the shoes are pushed outwards and press against the inner part of the drum. This produces friction which slows down or stops the vehicle. Constant application of brake can cause the brake shoes or pads to fade. The friction produced when applying brake produces heat which is primarily absorbed by the drum and dissipated to the air. The constant use of brake can produce too much heat for the drum to absorb. This results to the brake shoes absorbing the heat which causes it to fade. A faded brake shoe will have less braking power and must then be replaced. Another components that are susceptible to damage and might require replacement are brake springs and their spring mounts. The springs can lose elasticity over time due to high rate of contraction and expansion, and maybe corrosion. This can affect the responsiveness of the brake. The spring mount can get damaged by the shocks and vibrations that vehicles are exposed to. A failed mount is a failed spring.
