How to Change Drum Brakes to Disc Brakes?
Drum to disc change is a tricky procedure, and most brake shops lack the necessary skills and engineering to do it. However, if you have strong knowledge and hands-on expertise with automobile mechanisms, you can do it yourself. Disc brakes are unquestionably better than drum brakes. Disc brakes are lighter, have fewer moving components, and are less prone to overheat and cause brake fade. There are no drawbacks to changing to a modern disc brake.
How to Change Drum Brakes to Disc Brakes?
It’s a safer and more dependable alternative to a drum brake that doesn’t meet today’s safety requirements. The drum to disc brake conversion should be the first upgrade you consider, whether you’re a tuner car enthusiast or want your car to brake better. It is a no to replace old-fashioned drum brakes with disc brakes since the former can’t give enough stopping force and is especially vulnerable to heat, moisture, and debris.
These, too, need to be tuned and maintained regularly. Disc brakes provide many benefits over conventional drum brakes, including stopping power, longevity, fade resistance, and quicker cooling. The most adamant restoration enthusiasts are contemplating changing their standard front drum brakes with disc brakes because of their superiority.
This smart conversion may be no more complex than a regular drum replacement if you have the right components .Converting from drums to discs is challenging, and most brake shops lack the essential expertise and engineering.
How to Convert a Drum Brake to a Disc Brake in 3 Steps
First, drain 1⁄2 of the braking system from the cylinder and unscrew the lug nuts on the tire where the brake drum will be removed. Raise the car with a jack to remove the tire. Take the following procedures to convert your drum brakes to disc brakes when you’re ready:
Step 1
If the car has a rear-wheel-drive configuration, you will need to look for a little circular clip attached to the wheel stud and then remove it. Turning the adjustment wheel housed within the access hole, located on either the backing plate or the brake drum, would allow you to loosen the drum. At this point, you can finally remove it from the plug. To remove the brake drum, you will need to detach the wheel bearings and the bearing cover if the vehicle has front-wheel drive.
Step2
During 2nd step of the conversion from drum brakes to disc brakes, the brake shoes are removed. After taking the shoes off, undo all of the screws that hold the shoe’s hardware together, including the screw assembly, the springs, and the retention rings. Sift through the condition of the spindle. Whether it’s corrupted or unclean, you can clean or replace it.
Step3
Putting on the disc brakes is the next logical step. First, you will need to tighten the screws and bearings that attach the rotor to the spindle to make it secure. After positioning the caliper assembly to sit above the rotor, ensure that the brake lines are adjusted correctly to prevent the brake pads from becoming loose. Insert the parking brake cable into the caliper piston to finish this procedure.
Once you’ve finished fastening every single screw and bolt, refill the master cylinder with fresh brake fluid. You’ve successfully transitioned from drum to disc brakes.
FAQS
Can you convert drum brakes to disc brakes?
If you’re asking whether or not you should switch from drum to disc brakes, the answer is a loud yes. A drum to disc conversion is one of the finest “bang for the buck” enhancements you can make to your car. Your car will stop better and more reliably if you convert, and your new disc brakes will be simpler to maintain.
How much does it cost to change drum brakes to disk brakes?
Because disc brakes were not conventional until the 1970s, it is simpler to convert older automobiles. The obvious possibilities are pre-1970 models. The vehicle’s manufacturer and model determine the price. A conversion kit for a vintage Camaro or Mustang costs about $400, but it will cost more since the Ford F100 has a longer axle.
Is it worth it to convert rear drum brakes to disc brakes?
Converting your vehicle’s brakes from drums to discs is an improvement that offers the most significant “bang for the buck” compared to other possible modifications. Your car will stop better and more reliably if you convert, and the new disc brakes will be simpler to maintain.
Do disc brakes work better than drum brakes?
In terms of heat control and dispersion, disc brakes outperform drum brakes. It means they have less brake fade and provide more consistent performance than drum brakes. The disc is closer to the pads, and it continues to expand even while the calipers are relaxed.
- Which brakes last longer drum or disc?
The frictional contact area of drum brakes is bigger than that of drum brakes. As a result, they endure longer. Drum brakes cost cheaper to manufacture than disc brakes. Drum brakes last longer than disc brakes because they have a larger resistance contact surface. The heat generated by rear drum brakes is less. Drum brakes feature a built-in self-energizing action, requiring less input force (like hydraulic pressure).
- Why are drum brakes still used?
Drum brakes are more accessible to stop than disc brakes and enable better parking. Rear drum brakes are suitable for those who like performing brake twists since they are easier to start locking up (self-energizing).
