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A brake drum is a sort of broad, the short cylinder that is attached to a wheel against which brake shoes or pads press strongly in a drum brake.
Specifically, a drum brake utilizes the friction generated by a set of brake shoes or pads which press against the internal surface of a rotating cylinder commonly referred to as a brake drum.
This type of brake provides a lot more braking power than disc brakes, they last much longer as well, they are also cheaper to produce and they equally generate less heat as well. The all-important question now is, ‘Do brake drums get hot?’
Yes, brake drums get hot, because at first, they make contact with the drum over a relatively small part of their surface.
For this reason, you are initially advised to drive very slowly on new brake shoes for a couple of days for them to get fully worn in.
Brake drums can become quite hot due to friction. This is particularly so since this type of braking system can convert kinetic energy into heat energy by just pressing the brake shoes against the inner surface of a rotating drum on which the tire is mounted.
Sometimes, the heat in a brake drum can be caused by any of a warped brake drum, a sticking brake cylinder, or even a wrong adjustment.
Under normal circumstances, most brake drum temperatures range is between 150 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. However, in some rare cases, this temperature can rise to about 600 degrees Fahrenheit or even more than that during aggressive applications of the brake like in races on tracks.
It should also be noted that under very excessive temperatures, the effectiveness of braking can be highly compromised.
This is because, in extreme situations, the lining on brake pads may start glazing or burning which can exude an odd burnt smell with resultant loss of stopping power. Luckily, it is quite normal for brakes to become hot while in use.
Notably, since braking is associated with friction and excessive heat, disc brakes are a little better than drum brakes in handling this heat in brakes, which can lead to overheating.
Consequently, over time, the heat generated in brakes can damage the entire braking system leading to brake failure and fading.
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Why do brake drums get hot?
Brake drums can get very hot primarily due to the massive friction generated whenever brake shoes come in contact with the inner surface of the rotating brake drum to slow it down or stop it altogether.
The brake drum spins at a very high velocity and stopping it is therefore inevitably associated with the generation of a massive amount of friction and excessive temperature.
Put in another way, the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle is effectively converted into heat energy. Even though their design is such that as the heat is generated, the brake rotors are expected to dissipate it in order to regulate the excessive temperature.
However, sometimes, heat can be generated faster than it can be dissipated by the rotors. Under this circumstance, the brake drum and the rotors can even become red hot.
In these situations, the intense heat can distort the shape of the brake rotors and brake drums, a situation that is commonly referred to as warping.
So, it is the conversion of kinetic energy in the drum brake that leads to the intense heat of the brake drum. For this reason, you are strongly advised to always subject your vehicle to careful inspection to identify any symptoms that can affect the brake system.
It is also known that heat in the brake drum can also be generated by the wrong adjustment, sticking brake cylinder, or even a warped brake drum.
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How do I get my brake drums hot?
A brake drum gets hot when immense friction is generated from its contact with brake shoes or pads. The more pressure applied, the more friction is generated and the more heat that is developed in the brake.
In this type of brake, kinetic energy is effectively converted into heat which should ideally be dissipated to maintain a balance.
Although there are other means through which heat is generated like warping or a stuck brake cylinder, friction is by far the most significant of them all.
Also, heat in the brake drum can develop not only when the brake drum is warped, but also when there is a wrong adjustment in the setting of the drum itself.
Under ideal situations, the heat generated by friction in the drum is dissipated into the surrounding air by the brake rotors on which brake pads clamp.
However, under conditions of aggressive braking as is occasioned by races and bad road conditions, the heat generated may be more than that which can be dissipated by the rotors.
This is when the rotors and brake drums can become red hot or even warped. And not surprisingly, the warping of the brake drum itself generates more heat. These are some of the commonest ways through which you can get your brake drum hot.
Will the heat from brake drums affect the car?
Under normal circumstances, the heat generated in the drum brake does not affect the drums. However, in extreme situations, it can cause the drum itself to go out of round and become somewhat oval.
In addition, this intense heat can also cause the glazing of the lining on the brake shoes which can affect the effectiveness or stopping power of the brakes.
When the brake becomes ineffective, it portends a lot of danger to both people and the vehicle alike. It is therefore expedient that you should regularly subject your brake to inspection by specialists to detect any symptom of a failing brake system early before it worsens.
How hot should brake drums be?
The heat generated in brake drums depends on a lot of factors. Some of these factors are how aggressively you drive, the nature and quality of a brake drum and rotors as well as road conditions.
Despite all these myriad interlacing factors, the heat in the brake drum ranges from about 150 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This heat is much more in race cars on tracks because of the aggressive driving and frequent application of the brakes.
Therefore, heat in the brake drum of race cars can rise to about 600 degrees Celcius or more. When the temperature in brake drums increases excessively, it can effectively reduce the performance of the braking system.
This usually happens when the friction material on the surface of the brake shoes or pads peel off and get deposited on the brake drum.
Do all brake drums get hot?
Yes, all brake drums get hot, although some can become hotter than others due to the nature of the brake drum, the brake shoes as well as driving attitude.
Despite all these, brake drums do get hot as long as the brakes are being used. Most brake drums are equipped with brake rotors which are responsible for dissipating the heat that is generated due to the application of the brakes.
However, sometimes, heat is generated faster than it is dissipated. Eventually, even the brake drum and rotors can become red hot.
When this happens, it can cause the warping of either the brake rotor or the drum or both. If the brake drum does not become hot, it is indicative of the fact that the brake is not functional altogether. So, yes, every brake drum gets hot.
Should drum brakes be hot to the touch?
The generation of heat is a function of all brake drums since immense friction is created when the brake shoes establish contact with the brake drum.
This friction is effectively converted to heat. As a result of this friction, the temperatures in brake drums can rise to as much as between 150 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Notably, in some rare situations like track races, the temperature of the brake drum can rise to as much as about 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
These temperature ranges are well beyond what anyone can touch of their own volition without getting burnt or injured. So, yes, brake drums can get hot to the touch.
Should Brake Drums Get Hot – Conclusion
There are two types of brakes which are the drum brakes and the brake discs. In both of these types of brakes, heat is commonly generated, although there are measures put in place to counter any excessive heat.
However, the disc brakes are said to be more effective in heat regulation than drum brakes, although drum brakes have more stopping power than disc brakes.
Since excessive heat is known to affect the brake system in more ways than one, it is good to avoid whatever will aggravate or worsen the heat so generated. These include regular inspection of the brake system, careful driving, and frequent maintenance.
Once any fault is identified with any of the brake components, you are advised to see that such are rectified without any delay. It is thus particularly advisable to know the place of effective brakes in safe driving.
