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*KILLER74Z28* · 01-26-2007, 03:57 PM

Drum brakes hard to beat
January 25, 2007

BY MARK PHELAN

FREE PRESS AUTO CRITIC

"What's up with those rear drum brakes?" several readers asked after carefully studying the new Chevrolet Silverado's specifications.

Actually, it was more like, "What do those idiots think they're doing sticking these antiquated pieces of junk on their new pickup?"

Turns out they were reducing the truck's cost and weight without compromising brake performance or safety. The idiots.

Just about every vehicle used to have drum brakes, but they've been widely replaced by discs, which are less likely to heat up and lose effectiveness when the brakes are frequently applied. Because of that, some people associate discs with more advanced technology and think drums are outdated.

Engineers, however, love simple systems, because they are usually easier to build and maintain, and that means fewer repairs and lower costs.

So a good engineer will occasionally go back and reconsider old solutions to problems.

GM did that with brake supplier Bosch a few years ago, and the result was a system that replaces four-wheel-disc brakes with front disc and rear drum brakes on some models of the new Silverado and GMC Sierra.

I had the chance to test it and four-wheel-disc versions of the 2006 Silverado back to back on a closed course a couple of years ago, and the disc-drum combo provided better pedal feel and smoother, more assured stops. That's thanks to improved controls and the fact that a pickup -- especially one with little or no cargo -- carries most of its weight in the front half of the vehicle. Because braking leans all vehicles forward, shifting even more weight to the nose, the rear brakes of an unladen pickup are virtually unemployed.

You can use discs all around, but that's a bit like refusing to hire a babysitter who's not a qualified paramedic with an ambulance on call. You're over-engineering the program, paying for more than you need.

Silverados equipped for heavy work get disc brakes on all four corners, but the rear drums are more than adequate on other models.

Contact MARK PHELAN at 313-222-6731 or phelan@freepress.com.

01-26-2007, 03:57 PM	#1
KILLER74Z28 MOD SQUAD Drives: 2G1FT1EW9A9100666 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 5,768 View My Garage	Drum brakes hard to beat Drum brakes hard to beat January 25, 2007 BY MARK PHELAN FREE PRESS AUTO CRITIC "What's up with those rear drum brakes?" several readers asked after carefully studying the new Chevrolet Silverado's specifications. Actually, it was more like, "What do those idiots think they're doing sticking these antiquated pieces of junk on their new pickup?" Turns out they were reducing the truck's cost and weight without compromising brake performance or safety. The idiots. Just about every vehicle used to have drum brakes, but they've been widely replaced by discs, which are less likely to heat up and lose effectiveness when the brakes are frequently applied. Because of that, some people associate discs with more advanced technology and think drums are outdated. Engineers, however, love simple systems, because they are usually easier to build and maintain, and that means fewer repairs and lower costs. So a good engineer will occasionally go back and reconsider old solutions to problems. GM did that with brake supplier Bosch a few years ago, and the result was a system that replaces four-wheel-disc brakes with front disc and rear drum brakes on some models of the new Silverado and GMC Sierra. I had the chance to test it and four-wheel-disc versions of the 2006 Silverado back to back on a closed course a couple of years ago, and the disc-drum combo provided better pedal feel and smoother, more assured stops. That's thanks to improved controls and the fact that a pickup -- especially one with little or no cargo -- carries most of its weight in the front half of the vehicle. Because braking leans all vehicles forward, shifting even more weight to the nose, the rear brakes of an unladen pickup are virtually unemployed. You can use discs all around, but that's a bit like refusing to hire a babysitter who's not a qualified paramedic with an ambulance on call. You're over-engineering the program, paying for more than you need. Silverados equipped for heavy work get disc brakes on all four corners, but the rear drums are more than adequate on other models. Contact MARK PHELAN at 313-222-6731 or phelan@freepress.com.