How Long Do Brake Drums Last?

This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here.

How long brake drums last is determined by a lot of interlacing factors such as the quality of the brake drums, the nature of your driving, and also the types of roads you commonly ply.

Other deciding factors are regular inspection and maintenance of the brake drums. To this end, high-end drums last longer than most ordinary ones, and also, if you drive rashly which may necessitate frequent and aggressive applications of the brakes, they are bound to last much less than would have otherwise been the case.

Similarly, if you drive regularly on rough, stony, and mountainous rural roads, the brake drums are most likely going to last much less than when you drive on well-laid roads as are prevalent in most cities. On a general note, how long do brake drums last?

Ideally, the housing of brake drums should last for around 150, 000 to 200, 000 miles when driven on modern roads.

On the other hand, brake shoes can last for as long as about 40, 000 miles. However, these statistics are rated under regular driving situations, without putting into consideration all the factors which can militate against the durability and longevity of the brake drums.

Typically, drum brakes last longer than disc brakes because they have an increased area of contact than their disc counterparts.

Also, brake drums are cheaper to manufacture as well, although rear drum brakes generate much less heat than those in the front.

Specifically, your brake drums may wear out much earlier as a result of worn-out internal components which can expose them to more strain.

As the brake drums age and wear out, they may become smaller too. All brake components, among which is the brake drum, wear out as they are being used due to friction, which necessitates the need to replace them.

Whenever brake drums start coming down with problems, they are likely to start exhibiting certain symptoms which will alert you to the fact.

All in all, to get the best service out of them, you are advised to service them at least once every 5, 000 to 7, 000 miles or after every 6 months.

Also, your brake drums will last longer if you maintain them regularly by cleaning away dirt, traces of corrosion, and removing brake dust with the aid of an aerosol brake cleaner or shop vacuum.

You should use a wire brush to clean up every mating surface between the brake drum and its hub to enable you to remove any traces of corrosion and dirt that may damage the drum.

Table Of Contents

Does the brake drum have an expiry date?

Brake drums do not have an expiry date. However, the more they are used, the more friction they operate against and the more wear and tear they are exposed to.

Eventually, they are bound to wear out over time and would have to be replaced with new ones. Luckily, whenever they start to age and depreciate, there are certain diagnostic features they are bound to exhibit, which will alert you to the fact that there is an underlying problem.

Although you are advised to get them serviced at least once after every 6 months of regular use or after covering between 5, 000 to 7, 000 miles under ideal conditions.

During their maintenance, you should make sure to clean up any dirt, corrosion, and dust with the aid of an aerosol brake cleaner or shop vacuum.

With the aid of a wire brush, clean up all its surfaces thoroughly of rust, debris, and smears. All these will make it last much longer. (Read Also: Should Brake Pads Be Loose In the Caliper?)

What can I do to make my brake drums last?

There are several things you can do that will make your brake drums last much longer than they ordinarily would.

First, make sure that when buying, you get the best one you can afford. When you get good and top-quality brake drums, you are certain of getting satisfactory service from them for very long much more than when you buy cheap ones.

High-end brake drums may be a bit more expensive than most regular ones, but they are worth the price for their durability, longevity, and excellent resilience.

After all, to whom much is given, much is expected, or so the legend goes.

Second, ensure that they are serviced and maintained regularly as at when due or after covering at least 5, 000 to 7, 000 miles.

During servicing, the brake drums should be critically inspected to identify any signs of wear, cracks, and depreciation. Once any malady is observed, it should be attended to promptly so that it will not worsen. Again, your driving attitude also matters a lot.

Therefore, drive on mainly well laid out roads (if you can afford to) and apply the brakes less aggressively as well. When you do all these, you are assured that your brake drums will last as long as possible.

Trending Searches

Should brake drums be replaced often?

It is hardly advisable to replace any equipment that provides regular excellent service. Therefore, you should not replace your brake drums as long as they still serve you satisfactorily.

If that is what they do, you are encouraged to continue inspecting and maintaining them regularly. Whenever you observe any defects or signs of it developing, make sure you get experts on it without any delay. Drive carefully and on good roads too as much as possible.

This will limit how often and aggressively you apply the brakes too, which will assuredly increase their life spans as well.

All in all, if you must replace your brake drums, it should be done at least once after every 150, 000 to 200, 000 miles, which is the conventional replacement period under normal driving conditions.

Do all brake drums last long?

Ideally, all brake drums should last for as long as possible. Still, some are bound to last for much longer than others. Therefore, when buying replacement brake drums, make sure that you buy any of those that come highly recommended and from reputable suppliers too.

A quick but thorough research online will help you out with that. If you should get any of those good brake drums, they are certain to last for as long as 150, 000 to 200, 000 miles under normal driving conditions without any issues.

Also, ensure that your brake drums are serviced regularly too. Therefore, you can get your brake drums serviced at least once after covering about 15, 000 to 20, 000 miles. Doing all these will guarantee a long life span for your brake drums.

Frequently asked questions(FAQ)

How long do disc brakes last?

Disc brakes do not last for as long as brake drums do even when used under similar conditions, although disc brakes are known to be able to regulate heat accumulation in the brakes much more than brake drums.

Expectedly, the quality of the type of disc brake you buy is a pointer to how long it can last. This is not forgetting the fact that the kinds of roads you drive on and your style of driving are also important as well in how long the disc brakes last.

In summary, all things being equal, disc brakes can last for between 80, 000 to 120, 000 miles or thereabouts.

How do I tell if rear brake drums are bad?

Common symptoms that your rear brake drums are bad or tending towards it may include such things as a poor feel in the brake pedal on the application of pressure on it. It is likely to feel spongy or transmit vibrations in it.

At other times, you may need to depress it to the floor before the brake will become effective or at least show some signs of it.

Secondly, you are bound to hear squeaking or grinding noises coming from around your tires. Finally, your parking brake may feel loose or become unable to prevent the vehicle from rolling away after parking.

Overall, you are bound to start getting suspicious of the effectiveness of your braking ability on virtually all counts. If you have these issues to contend with, start thinking of doing something about your rear brake drums. That’s it.

How Long Do Brake Drums Last – Conclusion

Brake drums are a lot more durable than disc brakes and they are also more effective since they have stronger stopping power.

However, they are a little bit more expensive, which should be expected too. On the other hand, brake drums are less than disc brakes in terms of how they regulate heat generation in the brakes during driving.

The fact that they are very durable does not in any way imply that they do not wear out. They do, like all others, but they do so at a much-reduced rate.

Despite this exemplary durability, you are advised to drive and use them carefully, maintain them regularly and attend to any issues that may arise about them promptly. If you keep to this, chances are you will have your brakes around for as long as it can take.