Description: Brake drums and rotors
are the spinning members of the braking system that come in contact
with the lining material from the brake shoes and pads. Drums are
usually made of cast iron and rotors may be made of cast iron, or a
composite of cast iron and a stamped steel center section. View a detailed illustration of the drum and rotor brake
assembly (.pdf/583 KB).
Purpose: Drums and rotors provide the
mating surface for brake shoes and pads. Because of the heat
generated from all the friction, a drum
or
rotor must be able
to remain stable
even when subjected to the temperatures of repeated
braking.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions:
Have your car’s brakes inspected annually to make
sure everything’s OK. It’s always best to be able to plan
ahead for brake work by
knowing brake condition as your car ages. Brakes are a
normal wear item for any car, so sooner or later they’re
going to need replacement. Planning can also save you money,
because the
brakes
won’t get to the “metal-to-metal” point, which usually means expensive rotor or
drum replacement. Symptoms of brake problems may include dragging brakes,
squealing brakes, a pulsating brake pedal (with
ABS not functioning), grinding brakes, a low brake pedal or
pulling when braking. If your car exhibits
any of these symptoms, have it checked out by a
qualified technician as soon as possible.
