drum brakes Archives - Brake & Front End
Beating The Drum For Drum Brake Systems

With some understanding of drum brake systems, any technician can handle servicing them with relative ease.

VIDEO: Rear Rotor Parking Brake Service

Would you replace a drum without changing the shoes? Andrew Markel discusses what must be performed when servicing rear rotors that use a drum in the hat of the rotor. Sponsored by Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.

Retro: How Brakes & Brake & Front End Helped To Win WWII

During the depths of WWII, brake repair took on newfound importance. By 1943, the industrial might of the U.S. was at its height and was critical to the success of the war effort. Rationing of gasoline and rubber put increased importance on brakes that functioned properly since dragging brakes burned extra fuel and ones that locked up destroyed tires.

Drum Brakes and Wheel Pullers (October 1943)

Inspecting drum brakes was very labor intensive. Pulling the wheel was typically the only way to see the shoes.

Drum Brake Self Adjusters

In some cases, the master cylinder may contain residual check valves to prevent air from being drawn past the wheel cylinder cup seals when the shoes are retracted by the return springs.

drum brakes adjusters
DuraGo Awarded Outstanding Parts Master Vendor Of The Year Award From Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance

The award recognizes DuraGo for the quality, technology, logistics and overall excellence the company brings to the Parts Master Brake Drum and Rotor program.

BRAKELIGHT: 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

A customer came with a 1997 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pick-up and said he thought he needed front brakes. We signed him up for our free brake check and diagnosis and I turned the keys over to my tech. My tech took a short test drive and said the brakes felt really funny! A little while

BRAKELIGHT: World War II (April 1944)

At the start of World War II, Japan occupied the rubber plantations in the Dutch East Indies. This cut U.S. manufacturers off from the largest sources of natural rubber to make tires and products for the war effort. The U.S. solved the problem using rationing, recycling and lowering the speed limit to 35 mph. Another