SLS versus 2LS Drum Brakes
Drum brake systems are found in all kinds of vehicles. These types of brakes offer certain advantage sover other systems. Knowing about these types of braking system is essential when planning on doing a performance upgrade for the vehicle. There are different types of drum brakes.
The SLS and 2LS drumbrakes are two of the most distinct braking systems. Both types of drum brakes are composed of similar components. The backing plate, drum, shoes, wheel cylinder, brake springs, spring mounts and pins come standard. The friction between the shoes and the surface of the drum is what slows down the vehicle. With SLS drum brakes, one shoe is leading while the other trails. The one leading shoe produces the friction which slows down or stops the forward movement of the vehicle while the trailing shoe provides very little slowing effect.
When the vehicle moves in reverse, the role of the leading and trailing shoe is switched. The trailing shoe during the forward movement becomes the provider of braking power when the vehicle is in reverse. The 2LS system is rarely used in modern automotives. This system uses two self-applying leading shoes to produce braking power that is greater than its SLS equivalent. The downside to this system is that there is no reversibility.
That means the braking power only applies to one direction. It provides impressing braking power for forward travel but is useless when the vehicle is traveling in reverse.
