| Slant Six Forum https://slantsix.org/forum/ |
|
| Why do trucks have drum brakes? https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=48184 |
Page 1 of 1 |
| Author: | Sam Powell [ Wed Mar 14, 2012 4:23 am ] |
| Post subject: | Why do trucks have drum brakes? |
My brother asked me the other day why big trucks all have drum brakes. I could not answer him. I figured since old A bodies do have drum brakes, someone here might know why they are preferred on trucks. Anybody know. Sam |
|
| Author: | ceej [ Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:40 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Drums are cheaper. There are disc brakes for OTR trucks. With the new braking requirements, you will start seeing more of them on the road. CJ |
|
| Author: | SlantSixDan [ Wed Mar 14, 2012 9:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Disc brakes have been on big trucks in Europe (and the rest of the industrialized world where the international, formerly "European", UN vehicle regs are recognized) for many years. The primary barrier to their adoption in North America has been US regulators moving with their usual molasses-in-January "speed" and odd priorities. |
|
| Author: | 65Dodge100 [ Wed Mar 14, 2012 12:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I know I've had some as late as 72 where "flaky" is a good word for how they worked. Some brands of trucks you can buy the parts to convert them because some came with disc. Dodge doesn't have that eurika moment. They werent made with disc or AC or power steering. You have to make it all yourself. There is a guy claiming he will sue you if you make your own but I wouldn't pay much attention to him. I intend to make the disc brake plates that bolt to the spindle and sell them for a decent price. Might be a long time before I get there but it doesn't take a brain trust to make them yourself. Got torch? Danny |
|
| Author: | WagonsRcool [ Wed Mar 14, 2012 1:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I've seen medium duty 2 axle "box" trucks that have 4-wheel disc brakes. These are essentially just large versions of passenger car stuff- boosted hydraulic calipers. The BIG rigs have air brakes- do they make an air-controlled caliper/disc brake system? I'd be interested in how they accomplish that. |
|
| Author: | rlklaus [ Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Air operated disc brakes are starting to come to the market. What little I've heard from the people that have used them, it looks like it will be the wave of the future. |
|
| Author: | slantzilla [ Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Quote: Air operated disc brakes are starting to come to the market.
Having been a truck mechanic back in the '80's when disc brakes first started making the rounds, I can honestly tell you that they sucked. Rotors warped like plastic, pistons stuck, and drivers hated them because they were hard to get to work without locking up. Trailers with disc brakes on them could be bought incredibly cheap because nobody wanted the frikkin' brakes.What little I've heard from the people that have used them, it looks like it will be the wave of the future. Hopefully they have been improved. |
|
| Author: | Joshie225 [ Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe one of the main reasons for keeping drum brakes on big trucks is reduced maintenance due to the much greater mass of lining material. |
|
| Author: | rlklaus [ Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I'm guessing that now that the parking braking situation is solved, and of course, air brakes now have a decent anti-skid system. The disc brake sets are now ready for prime time. Having had a set of drums overheat on a 8% hill, and lose most of their effectivness. A set of discs that hold better when their hot would be nice. |
|
| Author: | Rug_Trucker [ Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
I drove a '80 model Ford LT9000 with front discs. IIRC they had a master cylinder and the rears were air over drum. Air brakes have lag time. Putting them on cars could cause problems. As a driver I am required to check the brakes for wear on my pre-and post trip inspections. I can't see through the dust shields. I can tell you one thing, they stop really good with the discs! If the ABS is malfunctioning and the trailer may or may not have ABS? Things could get weird. |
|
| Page 1 of 1 | All times are UTC-08:00 |
| Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Limited https://www.phpbb.com/ |
|