28/09/2025
1. Drum Brake
How it works:
A drum brake has a round drum attached to the wheel.Inside it, brake shoes press outward against thedrum's surface when you press the brake pedal
Key parts:Wheel cylinder, brake shoes, springsbacking plate, self-adiuster.
Usage: Mostly found on the rear wheels of smaller orolder cars.
Advantages:Low cost,works well as a parking brake
Disadvantages:Less efficient cooling, lower brakingperformance than disc brakes.
2. Disc Brake
How it works:
A metal disc (rotor) is fixed to the wheel. A calipesqueezes brake pads on both sides of the disc tocreate friction and stop the whee.
Key parts: Disc rotor, caliper assembly, brake padswheel bearing.
Usage: Common on front wheels, and now widely usedon al four whees in modern cars
Advantages: Better cooling, higher braking efficiency,more reliable.
Disadvantages:More expensive than drum brakes。
3. Electric Brake
How it works:
Uses an electromagnet and actuating arm to apply thebrake.When current flows, the magnet is attracted tothe drum surface, moving the actuating arm andpushing brake shoes against the drum.
Key parts: Magnet, actuating arm, brake shoesadjuster, return springs.
Usage: Mostly in trailers and electric parking brake
systems.
Advantages:Easy control with electrical signal, less manual effort.
Disdvantages:Needs electrical supply, not ascommon in standard cars.
4. Air Brake
How it works:
Compressed air pushes air pushes a brake chamber piston. whichmoves the brake cam. The cam spreads the brake
shoes against the drum.
Key parts: Brake drum, brake chamber, slack adjusterprake cam, prake shoes.
Usage: Mostly in heavy vehicles like trucks and buses
rarely in passenger cars.
Advantages: Very powerful, reliable for heavy loads, no hydraulic fluid leaks.
Disadvantades:Expensive and complex requires compressors and air tanks.
🔑Summary:
Drum Brake->Simple, cost-effective, mostly rearwheels.
Disc Brake ->Modern standard, efficient and reliable
Electric Brake->Used in trailers & parking brakesystems.
Air Brake->Heavy-duty vehicles, high braking power
