Can You Replace Drum Brakes With Disc Brakes?

In this post, I will try to help you to know Can You Replace Drum Brakes With Disc Brakes? These days, disc brake upgrades are becoming increasingly common, and for good reason.

Converting to disc brakes is a fantastic improvement. The decision to go from drum brakes to disc brakes should be made without hesitation.

A drum-to-disc conversion is one of the best “bangs for the buck” improvements you can make to your car. If you convert, your car will stop better and more reliably, and your new disc brakes will be simpler to maintain.

Can You Replace Drum Brakes With Disc Brakes?

A rear disc brake conversion kit is required to complete this replacement. The kits offer an all-in-one solution to simplify your life. Ensure the selected kit matches the vehicle’s build, model, and wheel size.

What Is The Difference Between Drum Brakes And Disc Brakes?

While some of the advantages of disc brakes (and drawbacks of drum brakes) were briefly discussed in the opening material, we wanted to take the time to go into more depth about how each braking system operates.

When the introduction to our buyer’s guide asks, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” you’ll understand how drum and disc brakes differ in their purpose and capacity to stop your car.

We’ll start with drum brakes, as many of you are considering upgrading them with contemporary disc brakes using a conversion kit.

A backing plate that supports the primary and secondary brake shoe linings, a hydraulic wheel cylinder, and mounting hardware/return springs that hold the brake shoes and wheel cylinder in place make up the drum brake system.

A braking drum keyed to the wheels via the axles, hubs, and wheel studs covers the assembly.

The internal pistons of the wheel cylinder push outward on the brake shoes, which move outward and come into contact with the drum, applying friction force to slow the drum, which slows the associated wheels when hydraulic pressure is given via the brake pedal and master cylinder.

Drum brakes are widely recognized for their problems, including heat retention that can cause brake fading, a more complicated assembly with more moving parts, brake “grabbing” when wet, and the requirement for routine manual cleaning of the drum brake assembly.

Drum brakes undoubtedly did the job back in the day. With today’s interstate speeds and the added performance we give our vintage muscle cars, hot rods, and pickup trucks, it is clear why drum brakes are no longer considered safe by today’s standards.

Contrarily, disc brakes have much simpler mechanisms and are simpler to maintain. They also self-clean and are less prone to “grabbing” in wet weather.

Additionally, their “open” shape makes them lighter, have better-stopping power, and can readily disperse heat.

All “checks” in the correct column prove why most people wish to upgrade their vintage drum brake vehicle to disc brakes.

Fortunately, disc brake conversion kits and modifications can now be completed with simple hand tools and an afternoon in the garage.

A disc brake system works more effectively in a “C-clamp” manner by using a caliper assembly with one or more pistons that are placed over the disc brake rotor (which is keyed to the wheels via the axle or hub, just like a drum brake).

This contrasts with the drum brake, which applies outward force on the brake shoes to slow the brake drum. The disc brake pads scrape away old lining material, dirt, and debris to keep the brake rotor clean.

This clamping force is more than what a drum brake can apply, and this is where the self-cleaning feature comes into play.

When compared to the enclosed brake drum that protects the drum brake components, the disc brake system’s “open” design allows for higher heat dissipation.

Is It Worth It To Convert Rear Drum Brakes To Disc Brakes?

To find the answer to this question, there are a few questions you should ask yourself. Do you currently disapprove of the way your brakes are working?

Converting to disc brakes may be a smart idea if you want greater performance or peace of mind because drum brakes frequently have less stopping power than disc brakes.

Although an investment is required, the labor to convert your brakes is relatively easy (see our video if you need a refresher).

Depending on your budget and the other duties in your car restoration project, you’ll need to decide if it’s worthwhile. Converting to disc brakes is smart if you want improved performance and peace of mind.

How Much Does It Cost To Convert Drum Brakes To Discs?

Price ranges for our kits range from $629 for our Legend Series to $1,370 for our Pro Driver Series. The kit you pick will depend on the brand and model of your car, the performance you want, your driving style, and your budget.

Can I Use A Drum Brake Master Cylinder With Disc Brakes?

I always hear this question from guys and girls: “Do you need to change the master cylinder on a rear brake conversion?

In brief, when talking about the master cylinder in a rear drum-to-disc conversion, 99 out of 100 times, nothing needs to be altered. To ensure that you are not that one in one hundred, there are a few things to consider swiftly.

Bore Size

Most of the calipers used in a rear disc brake conversion kit will typically operate with the master cylinder bore size that was successful with the stock wheel cylinders. For example, if the caliper being utilized had a very large piston, it wouldn’t be.

For instance, some drivers prefer to use the rear D154 non-park brake calipers. The master cylinder will have difficulty keeping up with the volume of these because of the huge piston. There would have to be a shift.

Residual Valves

Something else to be aware of is something that isn’t necessarily visible but is nonetheless simple enough to check. Some master cylinders have internal residual valves that are placed. If so, they must be removed to prevent a continuous drag on the back brakes.

The Benefits Of Having Disc Brakes On Your Vehicle

You’ll see a lot of advantages in your car if you switch from your old drum brakes to disc brakes.

Better Performance In Wet Weather

If everything is equal, disc brakes will stop your car more quickly than drum brakes in a slick environment. This is due to the ease with which disc brakes shed water compared to drum brakes.

Easier Maintenance

Since disc brakes automatically adapt, changing the brake pads is the sole routine maintenance task. It’s simple to check the quality of your brake rotors and pad life on practically all disc braking systems.

More Consistent Braking Over The Life Of The Pads

Flat pads and flat rotors are used in disc brakes. The pads will remain flat even when they need to be replaced. This indicates that braking efficiency will remain nearly unchanged as when they were brand-new.

Contrarily, drum brakes use curved shoes that make contact with the curved friction surface of the drum.

The shoes deteriorate unevenly over time. The drum may also have issues with being out of round. In contrast to disc brakes, drum brakes can deteriorate over time.

Less Unsprung Weight

The standard rear brake drum on an older 3/4 or 1-ton truck or van weighs nearly 50 lbs. Disc brakes are significantly lighter than drum brakes.

The 100 shifts up and down each time the truck encounters a bump when two drums are on the axle.

The axle weight is significantly lower because disc brakes typically weigh half as much as drum brakes.

The suspension must support less “unsprung” weight the lighter the axle is. Vehicles ride better, and shocks last longer when unsprung weight is minimized.

Less Rotational Inertia

The fact that disc brakes are lighter than drum brakes has the added benefit of reducing rotational inertia.

Brakes need to halt both the weight of your car and the inertia caused by its rotation.

Stopping requires less effort with a lighter brake. They also require less effort to start, which improves gas mileage.

Conclusion

To conclude, Can You Replace Drum Brakes With Disc Brakes? Yes! you can replace drum brakes with disc brakes. With a little research and perseverance, your rear drum brakes can easily be changed to disc brakes.

All components and instructions will be included if you buy a complete kit. In either case, you must begin by taking out the rear drums, brake shoes, backing plates, and any additional hardware.

Before removing them, penetrating fluid should be sprayed on each nut and bolt. Any corrosion or rust that may have built up over time will be made looser by doing this.

After removing the drums and shoes, you must clean up the area and perform any necessary repairs, including replacing any rusted-out hardware. The new disc brake installation comes next. If you’re using a kit, adhere to the directions provided.

Installing the caliper mounting brackets frequently necessitates removing the axles from the rear differential housing. If you’re putting the system together from scratch, seek advice from an authority or a reputable source.

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